Manchester Mayor Ruais announces reelection bid

Yahoo

31-01-2025

Jan. 30—Standing before family, friends, and city and state officials, Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais confirmed the Queen City's worst-kept secret Thursday night, formally announcing his reelection bid for a second term.
A former congressional staffer to former Republican Mayor Frank Guinta and an infantry officer in the New Hampshire Army National Guard, Ruais made his announcement during an event at The Goat restaurant and bar in Manchester, with Gov. Kelly Ayotte in attendance.
A relative political unknown in the state's largest city before he defeated former state senator and Ward 1 Alderman Kevin Cavanaugh to become the first Republican mayor elected in Manchester since 2017, Ruais said he is ready for a second term — if voters want him to stick around.
"In tackling the most critical issues head-on, my promise upon taking office was to be a leader that would rise above the partisan divides and work with anyone who shares our collective commitment to making Manchester the best midsized city in the United States," Ruais said Thursday.
"While we have made great strides on the issues that voters elected us to solve, the work is not yet completed. I look forward to talking directly with the voters of our beloved city about their cares, and concerns, and how we can accomplish these goals together if given the honor of serving them as mayor for another two years."
Official vote totals showed Ruais topping Cavanaugh in 2023, 9,428 votes to 8,934 — at 51% to 49%, about as close as it gets.
The mayor's office was occupied by a steady string of Republicans from 2006 to 2018, when Joyce Craig defeated incumbent Mayor Ted Gatsas.
Ward 1 Alderman Chris Morgan said he's "really excited" to support Ruais.
"It's been a very interesting year to say the least, but Jay's done a great job and I think he's going to do a great job if we give him another two years," Morgan said, adding he intends to run for reelection as well.
'Major issues'
"The last six years in this city, this great city I grew up in, there's been some major issues and problems and we were heading in the wrong direction," Executive Councilor John Stephen said. "And in this last election you all spoke and boy did we see a change in the city of Manchester."
Ayotte praised Ruais for his work over the last year.
"I know the people in this crowd, I know how much you care about Manchester, I know how much you care about this state," Ayotte said. "It is so important that we keep Jay leading this city."
In mid-January, members of Ruais's campaign released results of a poll they say place him in a "strong position with his image and favorability" among Queen City voters.
Team Ruais also released fundraising information, reporting it has raised more than $300,000 since Election Day 2023, and now has more than $250,000 cash on hand.
Staff with Jay Ruais for Mayor say the poll — conducted between Jan. 12-14 by Co/Efficient Polling using mobile text responses and live landline interviews among 440 likely city election voters — shows Ruais has a favorability rating of 51% and enjoys strong bipartisan support, with participants saying they believe the city is heading in the right direction by a nearly 2-1 margin.
The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.66%.
Team Ruais spokesman Michael Gorecki said the poll is "proof that Jay's positive, pragmatic approach to governing is working."
Ruais has spoken candidly about past struggles with alcohol addiction and two DWI arrests, highlighting his work in advocacy and public policy and his work with groups like Catholic Charities before taking office.
Ruais said he has been sober since March 9, 2010.
Ruais lives in Ward 7 with his wife, Veronica, who immigrated to the United States from Peru in 2005.
Ruais said he was a sophomore in high school on Sept. 11, 2001. He said he always harbored a "strong desire to serve our nation in uniform," but due to mistakes he made prior to becoming sober "there were obstacles on this path." After years of effort, he realized his dream when he was sworn into the Army National Guard on Aug. 6, 2020.
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