Will Joe Kelly Levasseur Run for Mayor?
No. The Queen City’s Penguin Will Stay Put at Alderman-at-Large — OPINION
MANCHESTER, NH — Akin to the undertaker Mr Joyboy in Evelyn Waugh’s satirical novel The Loved One, Joe Kelly Levasseur is an undertaker nursing an unrequited love — in his case, for the mayor’s office.
There has been talk that he is thinking of running for mayor, even with the unknown (but heavily financed) Jay Ruais the declared Republican in the race.
It is just talk.
JKL still has a month to make up his mind. The sign-up period to file for office begins on July 10th at 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2023, according to the City Clerk’s Office.
But it is unlikely that Levasseur will ever run for mayor.
The behavior of self-described “Satirist”* Joe “The Penguin” Levasseur generally is despicable, in my opinion. This makes it impossible for him to attract the campaign cash that would make a run for mayor possible.
Thus, alderman-at-large it remains.
If June Trisciani had been content to remain alderman-at-large for a second term and Will Stewart remained satisfied with serving as alderman from the Second Ward, former Fire Chief Dan Goonan would have beaten Levasseur this year, and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen finally would be rid of him.
But ambition runs through a politician’s heart as steadily as blood beats through that of the average citizen, and both Trisciani and Stewart decided to run for mayor.
With the seat in Ward Two open, Goonan shifted his party registration to Democrat, ensuring that he will be on the Board next year. So it looks like the Queen City is stuck with The Penguin for two more years.
ENDNOTE
*The use of the term “Satirist” seemingly is a defense against libel, defamation and slander lawsuits used by Tucker Carlson.
