Incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey lost his reelection bid in the Democratic primary on Tuesday to challenger Corey O’Connor.
O’Connor, the Alleghany County Controller and son of former Mayor Bob O’Connor, denied Gainey a second term as mayor, leading 53% to 47% with nearly all precincts reporting. Because of the Steel City’s strong Democratic voter base, O’Connor is almost sure to win the general election over Republican Tony Moreno, who won the GOP primary Tuesday.
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“Thank you, Pittsburgh. We built this campaign with and for the people of this city, neighborhood by neighborhood. I’m proud to be your Democratic nominee for Mayor. I’m ready to get to work, and I’m grateful to have you with me as we take the next steps forward, together,” O’Connor said in a post on X celebrating his victory.
Gainey was elected in 2021, running as the progressive candidate in the Democratic primary and defeating then-incumbent Democratic Mayor Bill Peduto.
The 2025 campaign became focused on the city’s budget, with O’Connor taking aim at Gainey’s handling of the finances and accusing him of mismanagement. O’Connor claimed on his campaign website that Pittsburgh was “sleepwalking toward a financial disaster.”
In his unsuccessful reelection effort, Gainey touted declining crime rates, which were in line with most of the country, along with housing and economic investment efforts. He had centered his messaging around working for regular people, rather than wealthy interests.
SOROS-FUNDED DISTRICT ATTORNEY GETS PRIMARY WIN IN PHILADELPHIA ELECTION
The general election in the Pittsburgh mayoral race is scheduled for Nov. 4.
On the other side of the Keystone State, progressive Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner easily fended off a more centrist challenger in the Democratic primary on Tuesday.