MANCHESTER, NH. September 17,2025–Embattled Manchester Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur has stepped down as chairman of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.  Sources tell Girard at Large that Levasseur called City Clerk Matthew Normand earlier today to ask that he call every alderman and with an offer to resign if tonight’s meeting was canceled.  Several aldermen replied that they would allow Levasseur to retain the chairmanship if he publicly apologies to Anna Thomas, the city’s health director for comments he made about the now infamous “Picklegate.”

The meeting was canceled, leaving people wondering what happened.  Levasseur answered that question in a statement issued at 6:25 PM in which he both stepped down and apologized.  We publish it in full, as received, below.

PRESS RELEASE JOSEPH KELLY LEVASSEUR to STEP down from Chairmanship

Dated 9-17-25

After some terrible results in the primary where republicans lost two open seats in wards one and three, and are now in democrat hands, even before the November election, I am stepping down as the Board Chairman.The additional loss of incumbent Chris Morgan, who was talked out of a safe seat by Ruais is especially painful.

There are five meetings left which means five face to face agenda meetings with Mayor Ruais, the person most responsible for these losses. I am fine not having to sit through meetings where he explains time after time, he needs democrats to get any thing done, even though we have a majority republican board. The real problem is, he actually sides with what democrats want, and does not care what we want.

The meeting to strip me of my chairmanship will just turn into another hate Levasseur made-for-tv-special where some republicans will most likely be forced to follow along, which could hurt their chances at re-election. We cannot afford to lose any more seats to democrats. Tough fiscal times are ahead for this city.My ego must be put into my back pocket to try and preserve out majority. Ruais must finally step up and proactively get all republicans elected.

That being stated: My passion for the little guy sometimes turns to frustration with what appears to me to be government overreach.I believe Anna Thomas has the best interests of the city at heart and in the end tries to do what’s best for it.If she is taking offense for some of my posts I apologize for hurting her feelings and will be more mindful in the future from doing so.

JKL

Cc: the world