Moran To Run For Mayor Under New Election Format In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — Popular Democrat and current Manchester Mayor Jay Moran Tuesday announced that he will be a candidate for the office this November.

The 2024 local election will feature the town's first-ever direct ballot line for mayor.

At a campaign kick-off rally, Moran said, "I look forward to leading a Democratic ticket
this fall that is committed to building on our party's record of providing thoughtful, strong
and innovative leadership for our community.

"During the past two years, the Democratic team championed steps to make major
investments in Manchester's future – and to do so in a way that celebrates the
amazing diversity of our town," Moran said. "That’s the kind of leadership that gets
things done…that’s the kind of leadership we can all be proud of … and that’s the kind of
leadership I pledge to continue if I am elected to serve as Mayor."

Moran is expected to be officially nominated as the Democratic candidate for mayor
when the party's town committee meets July 18 to endorse its slate for the fall election.

As a result of a change to the town charter approved by Manchester voters last
November, voters will have the opportunity, for the first time, to cast a ballot directly for a
candidate for the top office when they go to the polls this coming November.

In past elections, the person with the highest number of votes for the nine-seat town
Board of Directors, was named chairman of the board and served as Mayor. That's where Moran stands now.

While the candidates for mayor will now have their own line on the ballot because of a
recent charter change, the winner will still serve on – and chair – the Board of
Directors, which is Manchester’s equivalent of a town council. Manchester will also
retain its overall council-manager form of government, which features a full-time paid
professional town manager who serves under the supervision of the Board of Directors.

Moran said, "I'm proud that I’ve been serving as the leader of a Democratic team that
has addressed key challenges facing our community and expanded and improved town
programs and services. We’ve also done all this – and more – while keeping taxes at a
level that continues to make Manchester a welcoming and affordable community for all.

"If elected to serve as mayor, I will work to build on the many accomplishments of the
past few years, such as rebuilding and modernizing five of our elementary schools –
one of which was the first net-zero public school in the state; improving public safety for everyone in our town, with the merger of the 8 th Utilities District and South Manchester Fire Department and the formation of a police oversight board known as the Police Civilian Review and Relations Board; gaining voter approval to build a new, 21 st Century public library on Main St.; and allocating federal Covid relief funds in a manner that benefits all segments of our community – from families, children, senior citizens and veterans, to businesses, homeowners, non-profits and the homeless."

Moran has served seven terms on the Board of Directors. He has been the top vote-getter for Board of Directors in the last four elections, thus serving as mayor since 2014.

Prior to that, he served as deputy mayor.

Before joining the Board of Directors, Moran served on the town’s Board of Education.

Moran has coached Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball, as well as youth basketball and soccer. He and his wife also served as youth ministers at St. Bridget Church and Moran served as chair of the St. Bridget school board.

Moran has been married to lifelong Manchester resident Patty Gronda Moran for 34
years and raised their children, Kristen, Elizabeth, Jamie and Julia in town. They are
also grandparents to 2-year old Jack.

Moran currently serves as Vice President of Athletics and Recreation for the University of Bridgeport.

Moran previously served at the University of Bridgeport as athletic director from 2004
until 2014. Moran served as Athletic Director at Southern Connecticut State University
from 2014 until 2020. During his time at SCSU, the Owls competed in multiple NCAA
Championships and won two national titles.

Moran currently serves as chair of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Board of Directors and is past president of the East Coast Conference Athletic Directors Council. He most recently served as the vice chair of Northeast 10 Conference Athletic Directors Council. He is a past member of NCAA DII Northeast Regional Committee for baseball and basketball.