Manny Cruz is a Dad, public servant, entrepreneur, and non-profit leader who grew up in Salem. He attended the Salem Public Schools, including the Horace Mann Lab School, Collins Middle School, and Salem High School. Manny survived domestic violence and abuse with his mother at the hands of his father and stepfather. Because of this, she raised him and his two brothers as a single mom. Manny’s family faced eviction and he struggled in school, often acting out and getting in trouble. It was in high school, during a ten-day suspension, that Manny’s mother gave him his “one good suit,” and imparted her belief that he would wear it not only in court, but in job interviews, at college graduation, and in service to his community.
We are facing a housing crisis in Salem. I’ll fight for more affordable homeownership and rental assistance programs. I’ll secure funds to stop senior property tax increases and provide quality affordable long-term and in-home care.
Kids in our public schools are struggling. Access to youth programming and summer jobs literally saved my life. As your next State Rep I’ll be an effective champion for our kids and fight for our share of education dollars from Boston.
As a former restaurant entrepreneur and park ranger, I know that small businesses, green jobs, and tourism are the backbone of Salem’s economy. We need good-paying local jobs and I’ll secure state funding to expand and protect them.
I’ll prioritize expanding bus, ferry, and commuter rail services and ensure that they are safe and reliable. We need to build infrastructure right now to prevent flooding, invest in off-shore wind power, and expand tax incentives for home solar panels.
To improve public safety, we must provide pathways out of poverty and build trust between the community and law enforcement. I'm ready on day one to secure state and federal funding to combat the short-term and long-term effects of COVID-19.
I’ll fight for additional funding for on the ground addiction recovery and mental health services. I’ll work with community health centers, small businesses, and organizations to create a long-term policy solution to address substance use disorder.