Roberto "Bob" DaSilva is an American politician currently serving as the first Mayor of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island.
In contrast, the current mayor is elected by the citizens of East Providence and is the chief executive of city government.
During his time in the legislature, DaSilva championed tougher domestic violence laws, closing the indoor prostitution loophole and full-day kindergarten.
[4] DaSilva was one of only a few Democratic legislators that voted against pension reforms pushed by Rhode Island General Treasurer (and later Governor) Gina Raimondo and future political rival Senator Daniel Da Ponte.
[5] Representative DaSilva was a strong advocate of reform at the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (the DCYF).
During that time, he volunteered in the community, advanced to the rank of captain in the police department of the city of Pawtucket, and founded the East Providence Youth Soccer Association and served as its inaugural President.
[13] DaSilva's opponent in the general election was James Russo, a former assistant city solicitor and an ex-Chief of Staff to former Rhode Island congressman Robert Weygand.
[14] The Providence Journal remarked that the race for the office of the Mayor was "cordial" and stated that the "two candidates [agreed] on many of the major issues facing the city, including [...] a need to step up development of the waterfront, as well as to lower taxes and repair roads.
In March 2019, DaSilva named William Nebus as the city's police chief after the retirement of Christopher Parella.
[20] In November 2019, Mayor DaSilva appointed Glenn Quick as chief of the East Providence Fire Department.