Ruth B. Balser (born October 30, 1948) is an American state legislator serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

[2] Balser was a political opponent of former Massachusetts House Speaker Thomas Finneran.

She, along with several other opponents of Finneran, were demoted to appointments on a committee that held training sessions for House members.

[4] Balser served two terms as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

[6] She lost narrowly to former John Kerry aide Setti Warren, 51–49 percent.