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Jay Ruais

Jay Ruais
Ruais in 2024
57th Mayor of Manchester
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 2, 2024
Preceded byJoyce Craig
Personal details
Born (1985-08-28) August 28, 1985 (age 39)
Salem, New Hampshire, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseVeronica Ruais
EducationGettysburg College (BA)
American University (MPA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Jay P. Ruais[1] is an American politician from the state of New Hampshire who is the current mayor for the city of Manchester, New Hampshire. Ruais is a Republican who was elected mayor of Manchester in November 2023.[2][3]

Early life, education, and career

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Ruais was born on August 28, 1985,[4] in Salem, New Hampshire.[5] He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Gettysburg College in 2008, as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from American University in 2013.[6]

In 2008, Ruais was part of then-incumbent Senator John Edward Sununu's 2008 reelection campaign team, where Sununu lost to Democratic challenger Jeanne Shaheen.[5] He later worked as a legislative assistant for former Congressman Frank Guinta from 2011 to 2013.[7] After Guinta lost his congressional seat to the preceding Democratic seatholder, Carol Shea-Porter, in the 2012 reelection race,[8] Guinta appointed Ruais as his campaign manager for the 2014 House race,[5] in which Guinta defeated Shea-Porter and served until 2017.[9]

Ruais has served as a lobbyist for the Transportation Intermediaries Association since 2013.[5][7] He was sworn into the New Hampshire Army National Guard on August 6, 2020.[1][10]

Ruais is a parishioner at Ste. Marie Church on the West Side of Manchester, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 5163.[11] Ruais has worked in the nonprofit sector,[12] including for Catholic Charities of New Hampshire.[13] In November 2019, he was a speaker on behalf of the Addiction Policy Forum at an FDA public meeting on the opioid crisis.[6]

Personal life

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Ruais has spoken openly about his past struggles with alcoholism and his two DUI arrests, the latest of which was in 2010, and has said he has been sober since March 9, 2010.[10] He lives in Ward 7 of Manchester and is married to Veronica Ruais, who immigrated from Peru in 2005.[4] He is a practicing Roman Catholic.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jay Ruais - New Hampshire Army National Guard (March 2021-), Officer - Biography". Legistorm. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  2. ^ Kisluk, Jessica; Tansino, Marissa (November 7, 2023). "Republican Jay Ruais wins Manchester mayoral race". WMUR. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  3. ^ Porter, Steven (November 7, 2023). "Jay Ruais, who campaigned against 'status quo,' elected mayor of Manchester, N.H." The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Feely, Paul (September 3, 2023). "Manchester mayoral candidate Jay Ruais: 'The status quo in Manchester can't continue'". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d DiStaso, John (January 28, 2014). "John DiStaso's Granite Status: Guinta hires Salem native Ruais as campaign manager". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Creating A World Where Health Equity Is A Reality For All: PUBLIC MEETING Strategies to Improve Health Equity Amidst the Opioid Crisis". United States Food and Drug Administration. November 19, 2019. p. 13. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Employment History: Jay Ruais". OpenSecrets. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  8. ^ Tuohy, Lynne (November 6, 2012). "Shea-Porter beats Guinta in congressional rematch". Foster's Daily Democrat. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  9. ^ Enstrom, Kirk (November 5, 2014). "Shea-Porter Concedes Race to Guinta in 1st District". WMUR. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Feely, Paul (June 14, 2023). "Hillsborough County Atty. backs Ruais bid for mayor". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Feely, Paul (November 7, 2023). "Jay Ruais is the Queen City's next mayor". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  12. ^ Sexton, Adam (March 2, 2023). "Republican candidate for Manchester mayor calls for new approach on homelessness". WMUR. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  13. ^ Graham, Michael (January 10, 2023). "Republican Ruais Preparing Run For Manchester Mayor". NH Journal. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Manchester
2024–present 		Incumbent