{{Short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Ted Gatsas |image = Ted Gatsas (1).jpg |office = Member of the New Hampshire Executive Council<br>from the 4th district |term_start = January 1, 2019 |term_end = January 9, 2025 |predecessor = Chris Pappas |successor = John Stephen |office1 = 55th Mayor of Manchester |term_start1 = January 1, 2010 |term_end1 = January 3, 2018 |predecessor1 = Frank Guinta |successor1 = Joyce Craig |state_senate3 = New Hampshire |district3 = 16th |term_start3 = December 6, 2000 |term_end3 = January 5, 2010 |predecessor3 = Patricia Krueger |successor3 = David Boutin |office4 = Member of the Manchester Board of Alderman <br>from the 2nd ward |term_start4 = January 3, 2000 |term_end4 = January 3, 2010 |predecessor4 = |successor4 = Ron Ludwig |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|5|22}} |birth_place = Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = Republican |spouse = Cassandra Gatsas |education = University of New Hampshire at Manchester (BS) }} '''Theodore L. Gatsas''' (born May 22, 1950) is an American politician and member of the Republican party who had served as mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, from 2010 to 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/politics/local_politics/manchester-elects-republican-mayor-ted-gatsas |title=Archived copy of Manchester elects Republican mayor Ted Gatsas |access-date=November 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104235617/http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/politics/local_politics/manchester-elects-republican-mayor-ted-gatsas |archive-date=November 4, 2009 }}</ref> He was a member of the New Hampshire Senate, representing the 16th District from 2000 until he resigned in 2009 after being elected mayor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tedgatsas.com/news.php?id=111 |title=Mayor Ted Gatsas -- In The News |website=www.tedgatsas.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716202236/http://www.tedgatsas.com/news.php?id=111 |archive-date=July 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nh.electionstats.com/elections/search/year_from:1970/year_to:2020/office_id:9/district_id:24827/stage:General |title=NH Elections Database » Search Elections}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=554273 |title=Our Campaigns - NH State Senate 16 Race - Nov 04, 2008}}</ref>
Gatsas was educated at Manchester Central High School. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire at Manchester with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then started Staffing Network, a PEO, with his brother, Michael.
Gatsas was elected alderman in the Manchester city council in 1999, and later elected to the New Hampshire Senate in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=830173 |title=Our Campaigns - Manchester, NH Alderman - Ward 02 Race - Nov 06, 2007}}</ref> He became President of the Senate in 2005 by cutting a deal mid-term with the minority Democrats to remove two-term Republican Senate President Tom Eaton. He was elected Senate Minority Leader after the Democrats took control of the State Senate in 2006.
Gatsas is Greek American. The Greek Orthodox Church Metropolitan of Boston, Metropolitan Methodios, gave the invocation at his 2015 inauguration.<ref name="Gatsas inaugural">{{cite web |title=Metropolitan Methodios Offered Invocation at Mayor Ted Gatsas' Inauguration |url=http://www.boston.goarch.org/news/metropolis_news/2010/522.html |website=Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston |access-date=October 19, 2018}}</ref>
==Political career==
===Mayor of Manchester=== Gatsas first was elected mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2009, defeating Democrat Mark Roy in the nonpartisan election 10,668 to 8,128.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/city_clerk/Official%20General%20Results%20-%20Final%20Citywide%20Summary.pdf |title=Citywide results|publisher=City of Manchester}}</ref> Gatsas won a huge victory over Chris Hebert in the 2011 mayoral contest, taking nearly 70% of the vote.<ref>{{ cite web |url=http://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/city_clerk/elections/GENERAL%20RESULTS-ALL%20RACES%20(GRAND%20TOTALS%20UPDATED-CLR).pdf |title=Official Results|publisher=City of Manchester}}</ref> In 2013, Gatsas was again re-elected, defeating Patrick Arnold, but by less than 1,000 votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/city_clerk/elections/Municipal%20Election%20Results%20%28Citywide%20Races%20-%20Ward%20Summary%29.pdf|title=Citywide results by Ward|publisher=City of Manchester}}</ref> In 2015, Gatsas faced his stiffest challenge ever, when he beat Democratic Alderwoman Joyce Craig by only 64 votes, after a recount.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/city_clerk/elections/2015%20Nov%20Municipal%20General%20Results%20%28Citywide%20Races%20-%20Official%29.pdf|title=CITY OF MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE NON-PARTISAN MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION November 3, 2015 OFFICIAL RESULTS|publisher=City of Manchester}}</ref> In a 2017 rematch, Craig defeated Gatsas, 53% to 47%, thus becoming the first woman to serve as Mayor of Manchester.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/city_clerk/elections/2017%20Municipal%20General%20Election%20Results%20%28Official%20Citywide%20Summary%20-%20post%20recount%29.pdf |title=NON-PARTISAN MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 7, 2017|publisher=City of Manchester}}</ref><ref name="Gatsas wins recount">{{cite web |last1=FEELY and MICHAEL COUSINEAU |first1=Paul |title=Gatsas wins fourth term as Manchester mayor following recount |url=http://www.unionleader.com/Ted-Gatsas-wins-Manchester-mayoral-election |publisher=Union Leader |access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref>
==== 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial race ==== Ted Gatsas entered the race for the Republican Party nomination for Governor of New Hampshire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wmur.com/politics/wmur-first-manchester-mayor-gatsas-running-for-governor/38556662|title=Updated: WMUR first: Manchester Mayor Gatsas running for governor|last=DiStaso|first=John|date=March 17, 2016|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> Gatsas was seen as a strong contender in the field, but came in third behind eventual victor Chris Sununu and the relatively unknown State Representative Frank Edelblut in the five-person field. Gatsas won slightly more than 1,000 votes more than fourth-place finisher Jeanie Forrester. Gatsas lost in every city and town in New Hampshire except for Manchester and the Manchester suburbs of Goffstown and Hooksett.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-hampshire-governor-republican-primary |title=Results: Chris Sununu Wins Republican Primary for New Hampshire Governor|date=September 19, 2016|work=New York Times}}</ref> A year after his loss, he had to personally repay $68,000 to his campaign contributors due to finance law irregularities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-primary-source-citing-oversight-gatsas-personally-repays-dollar68000-in-2016-campaign-contributions/9171315 |title=NH Primary Source: Citing oversight, Gatsas personally repays $68,000 in 2016 campaign contributions|date=March 28, 2017|publisher=WMUR}}</ref>
The contest between Gatsas and Sununu was bitter. When filing for his campaign bid, Sununu accused the Manchester Police Department of failing to adequately fight the drug crisis, which drew a stern rebuke from Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard. Gatsas called on Sununu to apologize.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unionleader.com/politics/sununu-sparks-war-of-words-with-manchester-pd-over-drug-crisis-20160608 |title= Sununu sparks war of words with Manchester PD over drug crisis |first=Garry |last= Rayno|publisher=Union Leader|date=June 8, 2016}}</ref>
==== West High School incident and defamation lawsuit ==== In June 2017, it was revealed that the rape of a 14-year-old girl had occurred at the city's West High School in September 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nhangle.com/crime/Manchester-man-sentenced-to-10-to-20-years-in-West-High-sex-assault-06222017|title=Manchester man sentenced to 10 to 20 years in West High sex assault|last=Hayward |first=Mark|work=UnionLeader.com |publisher=Union Leader}}</ref> A public uproar ensued when it became apparent that neither the county district attorney, City Hall, the police department or the Manchester school system had reported the rape of the girl to the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Parents-Outraged-to-Learn-of-Rape-at-New-Hampshire-School-2-Years-Later-431165793.html |title=Parents Outraged to Learn of Rape at New Hampshire School 2 Years Later|date=June 27, 2017 |publisher=NECN}}</ref> When Joyce Craig criticized Gatsas's handling of the 2015 rape, he accused her of trying to politicize the crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unionleader.com/local-government/Gatsas-Mayoral-rival-Craig-is-politicizing-2015-West-High-rape-06292017|title=Gatsas: Mayoral rival Craig is 'politicizing' 2015 West High rape|date=June 28, 2017|publisher=Union Leader}}</ref> Then-Mayor Gatsas first told the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper that "we were not told a rape occurred at West". Gatsas subsequently claimed he was not told of the "severity" of the incident and emails released from a school district employee show that Gatsas was informed of a "sexual assault" at the school. Both the Police Chief and School Superintendent disputed the Mayor's claim, with both saying they had fully informed the Mayor of the graphic nature of the assault.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wmur.com/article/gatsas-acknowledges-receiving-email-phone-call-on-2015-sexual-assault-from-school-official/10224115|title=Gatsas acknowledges receiving email, phone call on 2015 sexual assault from school official |last=DiStaso|first=John|date=June 26, 2017|work=WMUR|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref> It came to light that the School Board, the School Superintendent and City Hall considered it the job of another department to inform the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unionleader.com/Officials-speak-out-on-silence-following-rape-at-West-High|title=Officials speak out on silence following rape at West High|first=Mark|last=West|date=June 23, 2018|publisher=Union Leader}}</ref> The revelation of the rape and the failure to inform the public of the crime led to changes in police and school administration policy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cronin |first1=Mike |title=West High School rape prompts policy change in Manchester schools |url=https://www.wmur.com/article/west-high-school-rape-prompts-policy-change-in-manchester-schools/10226011 |website=www.wmur.com |publisher=WMUR-TV |access-date=April 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627073205/https://www.wmur.com/article/west-high-school-rape-prompts-policy-change-in-manchester-schools/10226011 |archive-date=June 27, 2017 |language=en |date=June 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhpr.org/post/news-rape-manchester-school-becomes-public-officials-explore-new-policies#stream/0|publisher=New Hampshire Public Radio|title=As News of Rape in Manchester School Becomes Public, Officials Explore New Policies|date=June 28, 2017}}</ref> Gatsas was criticized for not revealing that the rape had occurred, and accused of not revealing the crime as he was in a tough reelection battle. Records show Gatsas subsequently sued two political activists, one of which chaired Joyce Craig's previous run for Mayor, who accused him of covering up the rape for political advantage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.concordmonitor.com/Mayor-accused-of-sexual-assault-cover-up-sues-his-detractors-11376220|title=Mayor accused of sexual assault cover-up sues his detractors|date=July 19, 2017 |publisher=Concord Monitor}}</ref> The lawsuit was dismissed after Mayor Gatsas lost the election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unionleader.com/courts/judge-tosses-defamation-lawsuit-filed-by-gatsas-over-manchester-west-high-rape--20180412 |title=Judge tosses defamation lawsuit filed by Gatsas over Manchester West High rape|first=Paul |last=Feely|publisher=Union Leader}}</ref>
====Domestic violence prosecution==== It was found in the final days of the Gatsas administration that the City Solicitor's office had failed to successfully prosecute domestic violence cases.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newhampshire.com/County-Attorney-Hogan:-We-didnt-know-there-was-mishandling-of-Manchester-domestic-violence-cases |title=County Attorney Hogan: 'We didn't know' of mishandling of Manchester domestic violence cases |publisher=Union Leader|first=Kevin |last=Landrigan|work=UnionLeader.com |date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> The City Solicitor, Tom Clark, was appointed by the Board of Aldermen in 1995, well before Gatsas became mayor, and had been reappointed by the Board of Aldermen multiple times.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wmur.com/article/gatsas-meets-with-city-solicitor-after-scathing-report-on-domestic-violence-cases/10245372 |title=City Solicitor announces retirement after scathing report on domestic violence cases|last=Enstrom|first=Kirk|date=July 1, 2017|work=WMUR|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref> Police Chief Nick Willard, out of concern that victims were not being protected, and even placed in further violence, appealed directly to the Attorney General of New Hampshire for assistance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nh1.com/|title=NH1.com - News, Entertainment Stories, & Videos in NH|website=NH1.com|access-date=May 15, 2019}}</ref> The chairman of the Board of Aldermen, Pat Long, said "As an elected official I feel a sense of responsibility".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nhpr.org/post/wake-city-solicitors-resignation-gatsas-overseeing-manchester-prosecutors#stream/0|title=In Wake Of City Solicitor's Resignation, Gatsas Overseeing Manchester Prosecutors|last=Corwin|first=Emily|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref> The Manchester police department helps in the prosecution of domestic violence cases.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://manchesterinklink.com/city-solicitor-retires-amid-allegations-incompetence/|title=City solicitor retires amid allegations of incompetence|first=Carol|last=Robidoux |date=July 2017|publisher=Manchester Ink Link}}</ref> The scandal led to the early retirements of city prosecutors and the temporary take-over of the department by the state. A stand-out in the battle against opiates who had attracted national attention, Chief Willard, subsequently was named U.S. Marshal by President Donald Trump.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhpr.org/post/trump-nominates-manchester-police-chief-willard-us-marshal-nh#stream/0|publisher=New Hampshire Public Radio|title=Trump Nominates Manchester Police Chief Willard for U.S. Marshal for N.H.|date=April 26, 2018}}</ref>
===Executive Council=== In March 2018, Gatsas announced his bid for the office of Executive Councillor from District Four. Gatsas won the Republican nomination by beating Jane Cormier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wmur.com/article/gatsas-stresses-experience-bipartisanship-in-announcing-for-executive-council/19644063|title=Gatsas stresses experience, bipartisanship in announcing run for Executive Council|date=March 30, 2018|publisher=WMUR}}</ref><ref name="Election results">{{cite web |title=2018 New Hampshire Executive Council primary election results |url=https://www.wmur.com/app/2018-new-hampshire-executive-council-primary-election-results/23074447 |website=WMUR.com |date=September 11, 2018 |publisher=WMUR |access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref> Gatsas narrowly defeated Democrat Graham "Gray" Chynoweth in the general election, claiming 48.9% of the vote to Chynoweth's 47.4%.<ref name="Gatsas to face Chyneworth in election">{{cite web |last1=Landrigan |first1=Kevin |title=Gatsas, Chynoweth to square off for Executive Council seat |url=http://www.unionleader.com/voters-first/gatsas-chynoweth-to-square-off-for-executive-council-seat--20180911 |website=Union Leader |access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref>
==External links== *[https://ballotpedia.org/Ted_Gatsas Ted Gatsas Ballotpedia]
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gatsas, Ted}} Category:1950 births Category:21st-century mayors of places in New Hampshire Category:21st-century members of the New Hampshire General Court Category:American people of Greek descent Category:Living people Category:Local government in New Hampshire Category:Manchester Central High School alumni Category:Manchester, New Hampshire Category:Mayors of Manchester, New Hampshire Category:Members of the Executive Council of New Hampshire Category:New Hampshire city council members Category:Presidents of the New Hampshire Senate Category:Republican Party New Hampshire state senators