Faced with the prospect of being blanked on the November ballot, Manchester Democrats have convinced school board member Jessica Spillers to file as a candidate for mayor.
Spillers, a first-term Board of School Committee member representing Ward 8, announced in June she would be running for reelection, but as of noon Thursday, she had not filed her paperwork with City Hall. Later that day, she announced her candidacy for mayor.
“The current government doesn’t care about those of us stuck in the middle, living paycheck to paycheck, paying more in rent, groceries, childcare, and gas. Manchester needs leadership from someone who has seen and heard their struggles firsthand. It’s time to invest in our physical and social infrastructure,” Spillers said in a statement.
While Manchester’s municipal elections are theoretically nonpartisan, the candidates make no secret of their leanings and run with the backing of their parties. For months, Democrats have bemoaned the lack of a candidate — even a rumored one — to challenge popular first-term Republican Mayor Jay Ruais.
Just a month ago, Spillers was talking up her campaign for reelection to the school board. Sources tell NHJournal on background that Spillers’ bid for mayor is the result of a last-second scramble by Democrats desperate to get a player in the race.
How “last second?” After her filing on Thursday, there was still no Spillers for Mayor webpage, Facebook or Twitter/X account. Her “ActBlue” donation link still read “Donate to Re-Elect Spillers to School Board.”
In addition to her service on the school board, Spillers is a married mother of three who works as a SNAP program (formerly known as “Food Stamps”) specialist at the New Hampshire Department of Social Services. Spillers comes from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, is an outspoken critic of school choice, and a supporter of DEI policies.
“I am very excited to support Jess Spillers for mayor of Manchester,” said school board vice chair Jim O’Connell. “Her experience working on the issues that matter to every family in the city of Manchester makes her the ideal person to lead the city to a more vibrant and inclusive future.
“She will be missed on the (school board), but I look forward to working with her to represent all the people of Manchester and to help our city grow to its full potential.”
Politically active Manchester Republicans, however, were less impressed.
“Who hates Jessica Spillers enough to have convinced her to run as the ultimate sacrificial lamb against the incredibly popular, successful, and well-funded Jay Ruais?” one told NHJournal on background. “Nobody aspires to have ‘service as a speedbump’ on their resume.”
Ruais won an upset victory two years ago to become the first Republican mayor since Democrat Joyce Craig defeated incumbent Ted Gatsas in 2017. In June, the Ruais campaign reported raising more than $500,000 and having more than $450,000 in cash on hand.
“Mayor Ruais welcomes School Board Member Spillers into this race and looks forward to the campaign ahead,” said Ruais senior advisor Ethan Zorfas.
“Recently ranked the third best-run city in the United States and recognized for having the hottest housing market in the country, Manchester is making progress toward the mayor’s goal of becoming America’s best mid-sized city. However, he knows more work remains and is committed to continuing to work with anyone to continue moving Manchester forward.”
Manchester Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur predicts Spillers “will give Jay a fight. The debates will be spicy!” Though in the end, he said, Spillers is “too hard left to win.”
Democrats have already signaled that education funding will be their central line of attack against Ruais.
“When our school district’s budget was cut last month by Jay, by $9.5 million, I knew I had to step up and do more to help our community,” Spillers told WMUR on Thursday.
State Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley also accused Ruais of cutting $9.5 million from the school budget.
In fact, Ruais’ budget increased school spending by about $2 million year over year.
While the mayor’s race will draw headlines, many political observers believe the real action in November is on the Board of Aldermen. Alongside Ruais’ 2023 win, Republicans captured seven of the 14 aldermanic seats, giving them a majority (with the mayor’s tie-breaking vote) for the first time in at least 34 years.
Republicans hope that with Ruais at the top of the ticket again, they can expand their majority. Whether Spillers’ presence helps or hurts Democratic efforts down-ballot remains to be seen.
“It would have been smarter for Democrats to leave the line blank so Ruais doesn’t unload his cash and impact their down-ballot races,” said one GOP campaign veteran. “Now they get the worst of both worlds.”
