[3] In 1985[4] McManus was elected to the first of three terms[2] on the Lynn City Council.

[1] In 1990, McManus was a finalist for the Town Manager's position in Saugus, Massachusetts.

[5] The job went to Massachusetts Department of Revenue Deputy Commissioner Edward J. Collins Jr.

In 1991 McManus was elected Mayor by 3,708 votes over incumbent mayor Albert V. DiVirgilio,[1] McManus received 13,601 votes, to DiVirgilio's 9,893.

[4] On June 9, 2009, McManus formally announced that he would run against incumbent Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. in that year's election.