Pittsburgh Mayor Ousted in Democratic Primary

Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh’s mayor, lost the primary to a less progressive candidate.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey talks to the press at the Paulson Recreation Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., during primary voting on May 17, 2022. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—The mayor of Pittsburgh, Ed Gainey, has been defeated in his attempt to run for a second term on May 20, after voters in the city’s Democratic primary election chose a less progressive candidate as the city heads to its general election.

Several municipalities hold elections for top executive offices in “off cycle” years, i.e., when the election does not coincide with a presidential or mid-term election. In commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s largest cities—Pittsburgh and Philadelphia—held primary elections on May 20 to determine parties’ nominees for the general election in November.

The winner of the Democratic primary in these contests is highly likely to win the general election due to strong support for the party in both locations.

Gainey, a social progressive who served as Pittsburgh’s first black mayor, had faced recent criticism over his management of the city amid financial stresses, as well as over his support for a controversial affordable housing plan. He was defeated by Corey O‘Connor, the Allegheny County Controller and son of the late Mayor Bob O’Connor (D). The vote was 52.8 percent in favor of O'Connor, compared to Gainey’s 47.2 percent.

“I’m proud to be your Democratic nominee for Mayor. I’m ready to get to work,” O'Connor wrote in a post on social media. His campaigned primarily on the issue of small business promotion, housing, and balancing the city budget.

In Philadelphia, District Attorney Larry Krasner (D) was re-nominated as the Democratic nominee for the general election.

The election will be held on Nov. 4, which is effectively the uniform day for off-cycle elections across the United States. Virginia and New Jersey will have gubernatorial elections on that day as well.