Bonilla to run for Manchester Ward 5 alderman; Ruais raises more than $400K
The calendar flipping from March to April means municipal elections in Manchester brought two more announcements on the local political landscape this week.
Jason Bonilla, school board member from Ward 5, announced he will run for alderman this year, while Mayor Jay Ruais announced his reelection campaign has pulled in an impressive financial haul in just a few weeks.
Bonilla announced his candidacy for the Ward 5 alderman seat this week in a video posted on social media.
Speaking in both Spanish and English, Bonilla said he's ready to move 'on to the next chapter.'
'I'm running for alderman in Ward 5 to support all of our city departments, including our public schools, and to strengthen our businesses, especially our local ones,' Bonilla said. 'I will fight to keep our streets and parks clean and safe, to ensure our sidewalks are accessible and our roads are well maintained, and work with law enforcement to remove fentanyl and opioids from our streets.'
Bonilla said he is also committed to tackling the housing crisis, ensuring affordable options and reducing homelessness.
'I will do this by collaborating with local organizations and city departments, because no one in our community should be forgotten,' Bonilla said.
Bonilla was appointed to the Board of School Committee in 2021, after Jeremy Dobson resigned his seat prior to moving out of the city.
Bonilla was elected to the school board in 2023.
Bonilla, a Salvadoran American, worked with AmeriCorps for two years in the Boston and Washington, D.C., public schools 'showing black and brown youth that we existed, that we were out here ready to advocate for them, to listen to them, and to push to them to follow their dreams.'
Bonilla landed a career as a recruiter for City Year in Manchester, going from 'squeegeeing throw-up at Forest Hills' in Boston to recruiting young people of color across the region to serve as peer mentors in the Queen City.
Bonilla was nominated for the Ward 5 school board seat by current Ward 5 Alderman Tony Sapienza. Attempts to reach Sapienza for comment on whether he intends to seek reelection this fall were unsuccessful.
Also this week, Ruais's campaign said nine weeks after formally launching his reelection bid, the incumbent mayor has raised more than $400,000, with more than $350,000 cash on hand.
Campaign officials said Ruais has already knocked on more than 250 doors, and placed more than 25 yard signs.
'I am humbled by the continued outpouring of support we have received since launching our reelection campaign,' Ruais said. 'We have always campaigned like we are 10 points behind, and will take nothing for granted as we ask the people of Manchester to place their trust in me to lead our beloved city for another two years.'
pfeely@unionleader.com
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