This is the sixth in our series highlighting the key mayoral races in the Commonwealth.

In a primarily Democratic city, Corey O’Connor may have passed his biggest test by winning the party’s mayoral nomination over incumbent Ed Gainey back in May. The Allegheny County controller still has to face Republican nominee Tony Moreno on Nov. 4.

Corey O’Connor (D)

• Primary: defeated Ed Gainey by 3,300 votes (52.59%-47.09%)
• Experience: Allegheny County Controller (2023-present); Pittsburgh city councilor (2012-22)
• Priorities
  • Champion inclusive and strong economic development efforts that will support City’s small businesses, invest in workforce development, attract new business opportunities, and grow tax base.
  • Bringing more housing to Pittsburgh
  • Implementing Strategic Debt Management Practices and Creating a Capital Stabilization Reserve
  • Reverse trend of losing families, children, and taxpayer dollars to the suburbs.
  • Advocating for and supporting housing insecure Pittsburghers by appropriately funding rental and housing assistance programs
• Fundraising: $367,703 from June 10 through September 15
• Education: B.A, Duquesne University ’06
• Quotable: “We have difficult work in the years ahead. We have a crumbling budget, we have crumbling infrastructure. We need a mayor who is going to be honest and transparent with our budget crisis.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Tony Moreno (R)

• Primary: defeated Thomas West, 62.0%-26.6%
• Experience: 20 years as Pittsburgh police detective; Served as U.S. Army paratrooper
• Priorities
  • Ensuring infrastructure is properly maintained and services are provided in a timely manner
  • Mental health care is expanded
  • Residents and businesses are kept safe.
  • Responsible AI with data storage throughout Pittsburgh will be the lynch pin of jobs growth
• Fundraising: $4,525 from June 9 through September 15
• Quotable: “I am going to abjectly change everything that we’re doing going forward, because all we see now is how it’s failing.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Debates

• WPXI (Oct 26)
• CBS Pittsburgh (Oct 7)

In The News

• O’Connor, Moreno talk city finances, public safety in debate ahead of Pittsburgh mayoral race. (Oct 26, TribLIVE)
• Mayoral candidates seek broader benefits for city from NFL draft (Oct 26, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Pittsburgh’s candidates for mayor agree on one thing: The city’s budget is a problem (Oct 12, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Pittsburgh mayoral candidates Moreno, O’Connor trade shots and policies in televised debate (Oct 8, WESA)
• Mayor of Pittsburgh (Oct 8, Pittsburgh City Paper)
• Voter guide to Pittsburgh Mayor election: Moreno v. O’Connor (Oct 6, WESA)
• O’Connor campaign has 60 times more cash than GOP rival six weeks before mayoral vote (Sep 23, Public Source)