MANCHESTER, NH. November 2, 2025–The following statement was issued by Rich Girard, a write in candidate for mayor of Manchester, after discovering that Mayor Jay Ruais‘ campaign Web site still says that Jay Ruais will cut our taxes.
“Working with the big spenders on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Jay Ruais gave us the biggest tax hike in a generation. He claimed to stay within the tax cap, but that’s because let the school district count $9 million in phony surplus and emergency reserves as ‘revenue’ to cheat the cap and avoid required spending cuts.
“This year, the projected tax hike is a little smaller than last year’s, but we won’t know how big it is until after the election. Seems the city couldn’t submit the paperwork early enough to get the tax rate set by the state. How convenient, right? This is made more worrisome because the city’s chief financial officer is warning of revenue shortfalls that will have to be made up by even higher spending. Since last year’s tax hike was much higher than projected, we can’t trust that this year will be any different.
“By the way, Ruais and the ‘more money crowd’ on the Board of Aldermen once again allowed the school board to count over $9 million in emergency savings as ‘revenue’ to avoid tax cap required cuts in spending.
“Despite these facts, unbelievably, Ruais’ campaign Web site still claims the mayor will prioritize and reduce spending to finally give us a tax cut. Does he think we’re that stupid or are he and his campaign so sure he’s a shoe in to win that what they say doesn’t matter? I’m sure there are other possible explanations for what that language is still on his Web site. Whatever they may be, it doesn’t change the fact that Ruais went the other way on spending and taxes and the many people struggling with Manchester’s increasing cost of living were hurt because of it.
“Tell Jay Ruais it’s not ok to break promises then make them again make them again as if nobody was looking. Send him the message that you meant it when you voted to ‘prioritize and reduce spending to finally (get) a tax cut. Write in Rich Girard for Mayor!”
This screenshot is from the “Economic Future” page on Ruais’ campaign Web site.
Click to enlarge