Mandate for Moderation

The 2025 Pittsburgh mayoral election delivered a resounding message that most progressive activists would prefer to ignore. Corey O'Connor, who defeated incumbent Ed Gainey in the Democratic primary, achieved high levels of off-year turnout and secured more than 80% of the vote against fedora-wearing perennial Republican candidate Tony Moreno. The margin represented a mandate for the moderate alternative to Gainey's gaffe-filled progressive tenure.