O’Connor topples Gainey in Pittsburgh mayoral Primary

Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor is the apparent winner of Pittsburgh’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating incumbent Ed Gainey.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting, O’Connor has a 4,100-vote lead or a 54-46 percent edge over the city’s first black mayor.

The race in the heavily Democratic city, which hasn’t elected a Republican mayor in more than 90 years, is the latest battle between the progressive and moderate wings of the party following its loss in the presidential election in November.

Gainey was first elected four years ago after ousting then-incumbent Mayor Bill Peduto in the Democratic primary, going on to easily win the general election.

O’Connor has called for implementing strategic debt management practices and reallocating idle funds to address the budget and more staffing and funding for public safety services.

In a statement, Gainey thanked his supporters and issued a challenge to O’Connor.

“While tonight’s result isn’t what we hoped for, our people-powered movement in Pittsburgh is stronger than it’s ever been before thanks to every person who was part of this campaign to build a city for all.

“The multi-generational, multi racial-movement that has been pushing to transform who the government works for has been fighting massive amounts of money at every level of electoral politics — from Summer Lee overcoming millions of dollars worth of attack ads to Sara Innamorato beating a right-wing dark money scheme.

“And that means Corey O’Connor must be ready to carry forward the transformational progress the people of this city demand and that he promised in his campaign. The progress my administration delivered on affordable housing, policing, and community investments set a new bar that Corey will be expected to build upon.

“The people of Pittsburgh demand progress for everyone, especially people and communities who have been left out for far too long, and must continue regardless of who is in the Mayor’s Office.

“I got into public service because I grew up in the very neighborhoods this city too often left behind — and I wanted to make sure City Hall finally delivered for everyone. As Mayor, I made sure my administration didn’t just bring people previously left behind to the table, we changed who the table was built for.

“From the bottom of my heart — thank you, Pittsburgh. Let’s keep fighting for each other.”

Steve Ulrich is the managing editor of PoliticsPA, where this piece originally appeared.