Robert "Jay" Ash, Jr.[1] (born 1961) is an American political figure who served as Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development under Governor Charlie Baker from 2015 to 2018.

As a result, Chelsea Finance Director Andrew Maylor was named interim city manager after Santagate's contract expired on June 30, 2000.

Ash's opponents cited his relationship with Voke, who had been investigated by the United States Attorney's office for corruption, his reluctance to commit to reside in the city (he lived in Saugus, Massachusetts at the time), and his lack of a master's degree in administration or planning as reasons for the opposition.

[6] During Ash's tenure, Chelsea won the National Civic League's All-America City Award and its bond rating was upgraded by Standard & Poor's.

[8] Due to McLaughlin's mismanagement, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court granted a request made by Governor Deval Patrick to appoint a receiver to run the Chelsea Housing Authority.

[8] In addition to serving as City Manager of Chelsea, Ash was also President of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and a founding member of the Metro Mayors Coalition.

[8] Shortly after he won the 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial election, Charlie Baker announced that Ash would serve as his Secretary of Housing and Economic Development.

[10][11] The Boston Globe jointly named Ash, John Barros, Steve Kadish, and Dan Koh its 2016 "Bostonians of the Year", crediting them with having been behind the deal which brought General Electric's headquarters to the city, each having done so, "with marching orders from their bosses".