One term after electing Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor, voters narrowly opted for sitting Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor as the Democratic nominee for office. Vying to replace Gainey on the GOP side is 2021 candidate and former cop Tony Moreno, who won the Republican nomination in May without support from local GOP committees. O’Connor holds a large advantage in both fundraising and party voter registration.
| Corey O’Connor | Tony Moreno | |
| Bio: | Grew up in Squirrel Hill. Son of late former mayor Bob O’Connor. Greenfield resident. Central Catholic High School and Duquesne U graduate. Pittsburgh City Councilor (Dist. 5) from 2012-2022. Allegheny County Controller since 2022 after appointment to fill Chelsa Wagner’s seat; re-elected to full term in 2023. | Brighton Heights resident. Army paratrooper veteran. Longtime Pittsburgh police detective. Ran in 2021 Democratic primary, then ran on Republican ticket after successful write-in campaign (lost to Gainey). Recently named in federal civil rights case dating back to 2019. |
| Public safety: | Said issues with turnover and staffing levels at police and EMS services are “unacceptable.” Wants to “restore” community and neighborhood policing units and “further develop” co-responder program. Pledges greater transparency with public safety data. Audited county jail as controller. Wants Pittsburgh to become “true regional partner” in providing services to solve homelessness crisis. | Wants to bring police force back to 1,000 officers and incentivize city residency. Says police should not be “social workers” or “babysitters” and supports diversion to rehab and mental healthcare services. Seeks stronger enforcement of anti-homelessness laws and said “our city is trash” due to litter and homeless encampments. Falsely asserted crime rates in Pittsburgh “soaring.” |
| Affordable housing: | Has campaigned on building more housing and 2017 support of Housing Opportunity Fund, but questions inclusionary zoning. Favors differing approaches to housing construction for different neighborhoods, saying “every market is different.” Wants to update permitting and zoning laws. | Accuses city leadership of “stealing millions” and says developers are buying off politicians. Wants to implement business-friendly development including housing and increased parking. Calls inclusionary zoning a “control mechanism.” |
| Infrastructure: | Says more neighborhoods should be built for non-car owners. Said he would “embrace change” and “amplify the expertise of urbanists.” | Says city’s main focuses should be “public safety and public works.” Seeks to cut wasteful spending. Said he wants “thriving, predictable, reliable” public transit. |
| Taxing nonprofits: | Says nonprofits “need to pay their fair share.” Criticized Gainey for backing out of Peduto-era OnePGH plan. Wants to approach nonprofits with “specific ask[s]” such as work on emergency vehicles and local infrastructure. | Pledges tax and regulation cuts but has not commented on UPMC. |
| Endorsements: | ACDC, College Democrats at Pitt, 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club, unions including Pa. Laborers’ Council, Ironworkers Local 3, Int’l. Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Pittsburgh EMTs | Gun Owners of America |
This article appears in Election Guide Oct. 8-14, 2025.
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