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By James Bickerton
News Reporter
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Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, who had allied himself with progressives, has lost a Democratic primary challenge, The Associated Press reported.
The AP called the race for Alleghany County Controller Corey O'Connor at 10:05 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
Newsweek contacted Gainey and O'Connor on Wednesday, via email and online inquiry form respectively, outside of regular office hours.
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Why It Matters
The Democratic Party's setback in 2024 elections has led it into a period of reflection, working to redefine itself, assess the reasoning for its losses and identify its base and messaging, which did not resonate as strongly as expected. Since the 2024 election, there has been an ongoing debate within the party between its progressive and moderate factions about how to move forward with a winning message.
What To Know
O'Connor, the son of former Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor, had won the local party's endorsement.
He accused Gainey of being reckless with city finances, falling short in expanding affordable housing, and failing to restore the city's downtown after the COVID pandemic.
Following his victory, O'Connor is highly likely to win November's general election in a city that hasn't elected a Republican mayor in nearly a century.
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Gainey conceded Tuesday night and called himself a "mayor of change" who had worked to boost affordable housing and reduce the murder rate.
"It wasn't the popular message, but it was the populist message," Gainey told KDKA-TV.
Gainey became mayor in January 2022 after ousting incumbent Mayor Bill Peduto in a Democratic primary contest, then winning the subsequent general election. He became the first Black mayor in Pittsburgh's history.
In office, Gainey focused on infrastructure projects and what he said were the root causes of crime, though critics accused him of mismanaging the city's budget. The Pittsburgh city controller's office warned in 2024 that the city was running short on money with a budget deficit of $9.5 million.
Progressives did also record a win on Tuesday when Larry Krasner won the Democratic primary for Philadelphia district attorney defeating military veteran Pat Dugan. In 2024, Krasner survived an impeachment bid from Republican state lawmakers.
What People Are Saying
Responding to his victory on X, O'Connor said: "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."
In his concession speech, Gainey commented: "This has been a wonderful four years. We didn't put a crack in the glass ceiling. We shattered it."
Pittsburgh talk radio host Colin Dunlap on X: "It came down to this for Pittsburgh: People have no idea if Corey O'Connor will be a good mayor; but they know Ed Gainey was an awful one."
What Happens Next
O'Connor is scheduled to contest the November 2025 Pittsburgh mayoral election as the Democratic candidate. Given the city's long affiliation with the Democratic Party, he is likely to start the race as the strong favorite.
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