One term after Pittsburgh elected its first Black mayor, polls show a tight race for the Democratic nomination between first-term incumbent Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor. Vying for the GOP nod are 2021 candidate and former cop Tony Moreno and small business owner Thomas West.
Bio: Grew up in Hill District and East Liberty. Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar resident. Raised by single mother. Peabody High School and Morgan State University graduate. Pa. Rep. (D-24) from 2013-2022. Elected mayor after defeating two-term incumbent Bill Peduto in 2021 primary and Tony Moreno in 2021 general.
Fundraising: Second-biggest fundraiser with just under $400,000 available at end of March. Criticized O’Connor’s fundraising throughout campaign and returned donations from Walnut Capital and Rosebud Mining. Criticized by O’Connor for accepting donations from local construction firms.
Housing policy: Has campaigned on record of building ca. 2,000 units of affordable housing. Advocates for citywide inclusionary zoning (IZ). Launched rental registry and funded OwnPGH programs. Touts federal and state grant funding and $30 million bond for redevelopment and affordable housing projects.
Public safety: Highlights 33% decrease in homicides and overall crime since taking office. Emphasizes youth programs as way to treat “root cause” of crime. Signed first non-arbitrated police union contract with PBP. Has been criticized by opponents for police-chief turnover.
Taxing nonprofits: Made taxing UPMC and “Big Four” nonprofits central plank of 2021 campaign but has not reached deal. Says UPMC has prevented other nonprofits from coming to the table. Has said City is considering legal action to seek PILOT and punish UPMC for trans healthcare denials.
Civil rights: Has protested with community organizers and activists over trans healthcare denial and labor rights. Pledged not to cooperate with ICE. Issued orders to protect City DEI policies. Has positioned self as “anti-Trump” candidate.
Endorsements: Steel City Stonewall Democrats, CMU Democrats, United Steelworkers, SEIU Healthcare, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Conservation Voters of Pa., Pittsburgh Firefighters, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato
Bio: Grew up in Squirrel Hill. Son of late former mayor Bob O’Connor. Greenfield resident. Central Catholic High School and Duquesne University graduate. Pittsburgh City Councilor (Dist. 5) from 2012-2022. Allegheny County Controller since 2022 after appointment to fill Chelsa Wagner’s seat, re-elected to full term in 2023.
Fundraising: Biggest fundraiser of the cycle with over $1.1 million as of March. Faced criticism for accepting donations from Trump donors, fossil fuel executives, and major players in local real estate. Took heat over “racist” ads by a surrogate PAC.
Housing policy: Has campaigned on “more is more” approach to housing while questioning citywide IZ. Touts 2017 support of Housing Opportunity Fund. Favors differing approaches to housing construction for different neighborhoods, saying “every market is different.” Wants to update permitting and zoning laws.
Public safety: Says issues with turnover and staffing levels at police and EMS services are “unacceptable.” Wants to “restore” community and neighborhood policing units and “further develop” co-responder program. Pledges greater transparency with public safety data.
Taxing nonprofits: Says nonprofits “need to pay their fair share.” Criticizes Gainey for backing out of Peduto-era OnePGH plan. Wants to approach nonprofits with “specific ask[s]” such as work on emergency vehicles and local infrastructure.
Civil rights: Highlights work on paid sick leave and early childhood education. Audited county jail as Controller. Wants Pittsburgh to become “true regional partner” in providing services to solve homelessness crisis.
Endorsements: Allegheny County Democratic Party, College Democrats at Pitt, 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club, Pa. Laborers’ Council, Ironworkers Local 3, Int’l. Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Pittsburgh EMTs, Pittsburgh City Councilor Erika Strassburger
Bio: Brighton Heights resident. Army paratrooper veteran. Longtime Pittsburgh Bureau of Police detective. Ran against former mayor Bill Peduto and Ed Gainey in 2021 Democratic primary, then ran on Republican ticket after successful write-in campaign (lost to Gainey). Subject of assault charges that were dismissed in 2023.
Fundraising: Just over $3,000 in fundraising claimed in March. Funders include several smaller donors and loan from self.
Housing policy: Accuses City leadership of “stealing millions” and says developers are buying off politicians but hasn’t offered own comprehensive housing plan.
Public safety: Has strongly emphasized public safety. Wants to hire more police officers and incentivize city residency. Seeks stronger enforcement of anti-homelessness laws. Has said people are “afraid” while falsely asserting that “crime is rising” in Pittsburgh. Supports increased access to mental healthcare services.
taxing nonprofits: Pledges tax and regulation cuts but has not commented on UPMC.
civil rights: Says police should not be “social workers” or “babysitters.” Said “our city is trash” due to litter and homelessness crisis.
endorsements: None listed
Bio: Raised in Greene County. Highland Park resident. Openly gay. Lyndon State College (now part of Vermont State U) graduate. Owner of TRIM boutique in Lawrenceville and local philanthropist. Former East Liberty Chamber of Commerce board member.
Fundraising: Raised over $3,000 in January. Loaned self $12,000 for campaign in March.
Housing policy: Says neighbors should decide on IZ. Accuses City of lack of transparency. Wants to establish city rent-to-own program to make homeownership easier.
Public safety: Says public safety “must be top priority” and reports being assaulted Downtown. Wants to combat police turnover.
Taxing nonprofits: Says “they should pay” and pledges to work with large nonprofits on PILOT plans.
Civil rights: Says some Pittsburgh neighborhoods have been “forgotten for decades.” Wants “bold, long-term vision” for growth and economic stability, including easier pathways to entrepreneurship.
Endorsements: None listed
This article appears in Apr 30 – May 6, 2025 and Election Guide (Early 2025).
