Pittsburgh Mayoral Primary 2025: See Projected Winner Here

UPDATED: 11 p.m.

PITTSBURGH, PA — The polls closed and votes were counted in Pittsburgh's hotly contested mayoral race. In the primary, voters from both major parties select who will represent them in November's General Election.

On the Democratic side, Mayor Ed Gainey has faced a contentious challenge from Allegheny County Controller Corey O'Connor. On the Republican ballot, retired Pittsburgh police officer Tony Moreno and small business owner Thomas West are battling for the GOP nomination.

With 91 percent of precincts counted, O'Connor has 29.055 votes to Gainey's 25,140. All results are unofficial until verified by the county elections board.

The fight for the Democratic nomination generally is considered the de facto mayoral election as Democrats enjoy a large voter registration edge in the city. Pittsburgh has not had a Republican mayor in nearly a century.

Gainey, 55, of the city's Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood, is a former state legislator who defeated former Mayor Bill Peduto in the Democratic primary in 2021. He touts among the accomplishments of his first term the delivery of 1,600 units of affordable housing, a 45 percent reduction in gun violence in the city and a historic $600 million investment in Downtown.

"As mayor, I helped secure the 2026 NFL Draft, bringing new jobs, tourism, and investment," he recently told the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh.

"Partnering with Gov. Shapiro, we delivered $600 million to revitalize Downtown—adding 1,000+ housing units and investing in public spaces. We also secured $300+ million for affordable housing, workforce development, infrastructure, and youth programs. We’ll continue investing in youth jobs, expanding programs like Learn & Earn, and supporting small businesses through fairer contracting. Together, we’ll grow an economy that works for everyone."

O'Connor, 40, of Point Breeze, won the Democratic mayoral endorsement and has raised significantly more money than Gainey.

O'Connor has been controller since July 2022 after being nominated by former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and confirmed by the state Senate. He was elected to his first full term in November 2023.

Prior to becoming controller, O'Connor represented Pittsburgh City Council District 5 in the East End for a decade. Before being elected to council, he was a community development representative for former U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle.

O'Connor's father, Bob O'Connor, was a longtime city councilman who served nine months as Pittsburgh's mayor in 2006 before dying from a rare form of brain cancer.

"It’s the mayor’s duty to serve each neighborhood equitably and ensure they can each be uniquely resilient and vibrant," O'Connor recently told the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh.

"I’ll do that by coordinating decision- and policy-making with leaders of every council district, and connecting our region’s network of resources with each neighborhood to create equity in how we deliver programming and services. Regardless of your zip code, you are owed a city that works, a city that is transparent and a city that is growing to meet the future."

On the Republican side, Moreno, 54, is a retired city police officer who ran for mayor in 2021 and
lost in the Democratic primary to Gainey. He then ran as a Republican in the general election and was defeated by Gainey again.

"I have spent time in all 90 neighborhoods of our city and I have a unique understanding of our diversity," Moreno recently told the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh.

"I navigated the city’s policies and budgets while fighting for the rights of union members, residence and businesses in Pittsburgh. During the incredible growth Downtown from 2009-2015 I successfully managed the issues of homelessness, mental illness and addiction."

West, 48, of Highland Park, is a former TV news producer and the owner of a men's clothing store in Lawrenceville.

"Before founding my business in 2014, I spent over a decade as a producer in broadcast journalism, where I earned recognition for telling the stories that matter most to our community," West recently told the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh. "That career sharpened my skills in communication, accountability, and listening to diverse voices. As a business owner, I’ve created jobs, managed budgets, and understand the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs."

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