Allegheny Controller Defeats Pittsburgh Mayor Gainey in Democratic Primary

In Pittsburgh's Democratic mayoral primary, Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor defeated incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey, who was seeking a second term. O’Connor criticized Gainey’s handling of the city’s finances and accused him of mismanagement, while Gainey emphasized declines in crime, housing development, and economic investments. The race was viewed nationally as a proxy battle between progressives, represented by Gainey, and the center-left or establishment wing, represented by O’Connor, who also faced accusations of ties to Trump supporters and real estate interests. Gainey, Pittsburgh's first Black mayor, had previously run as a progressive and focused on community policing and mental health initiatives, but O’Connor's campaign raised more funds and gained momentum leading to his victory. Given Pittsburgh's strong Democratic base, O’Connor is favored to win the general election against Republican Tony Moreno. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a progressive, easily won his Democratic primary, reflecting ongoing intra-party contests between progressives and centrists.