Manchester voters will soon decide whether to re-elect Mayor Jay Ruais. Queen City voters almost always give their mayors a second term. But a win – particularly a comfortable one – would further boost the political career of the 40-year-old Ruais.

As NHPR’s Josh Rogers reports, Ruais’ approach to leading the state’s largest city has mixed traditional boosterism, finding common cause with Gov. Kelly Ayotte, and marginalizing local antagonists.

It was moments before the first debate of his reelection campaign. Ruais’ opponent, school board member Jess Spillers, was getting ready to take the stage. But Ruais wanted to share a quick story.

“ I got a text message this morning – because I’m notorious about giving out my cell phone number – about trash on Lake Shore Road. It’s funny as mayor

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