Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais has endorsed Gov. Kelly Ayotte ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, pointing to issues that include school funding, public safety, housing, addiction recovery and support for city institutions.
Ruais said the city’s priorities require cooperation between local and state officials. He described Manchester’s needs as spanning housing and homelessness, addiction, public safety and public schools, and said he believed Ayotte had worked with the city on those issues during the past two years.
“When Manchester calls, Ayotte answers, and she delivers.”
One example cited by Ruais was a legislative proposal that he said would have cut $10 million from Manchester schools. Ruais said the reduction would have resulted in larger classes and fewer resources for students and teachers. He credited Ayotte with stopping the proposed cuts.
Issues cited by the mayor
- Schools: Ruais said Ayotte opposed the proposed $10 million reduction affecting Manchester schools.
- Public safety: He credited the governor with supporting changes to the state’s bail system.
- Housing and recovery: Ruais cited efforts involving treatment, recovery and housing services for people in Manchester.
- Federal funding: He said Ayotte worked to reverse changes that threatened funding for organizations serving vulnerable residents.
On public safety, Ruais said Manchester police officers had been frustrated by a bail system that allowed people accused of dangerous conduct to remain in the community. He credited Ayotte with helping change that system and said the city was safer as a result.
Ruais also cited the governor’s involvement after changes in federal funding threatened organizations providing services to vulnerable people in Manchester. He said that work helped organizations move people into treatment, recovery and housing. The mayor further credited Ayotte with advocating for the Manchester Job Corps when the program faced a threat to its funding.
In addition, Ruais said Ayotte secured $12 million for the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester and strengthened recovery programs including The Doorway. He presented those actions as part of the city’s broader effort to address addiction and homelessness.
The endorsement comes before voters choose a governor on Nov. 3. Ruais said his support was based on Ayotte’s record as a partner on Manchester’s city priorities and on his view that local and state leaders must work together to address them.
