Pittsburgh Is Closer to Having Its First Black Mayor After Ed Gainey Unseats Bill Peduto

Pennsylvania state House Rep. Ed Gainey, D-Pittsburgh, right, talks with Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Philadelphia, Tuesday Jan. 1, 2019, at the statehouse in Harrisburg, Pa. Pennsylvania state lawmakers were sworn in on New Year's Day. The House welcomed 42 new members and seven new senators took the oath of office on Tuesday after winning election in November. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

By Associated Press

May 18, 2021

The Democrat will be heavily favored in November’s general election.

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh’s incumbent mayor conceded the primary election Tuesday to challenger Ed Gainey, who would become the city’s first Black chief executive if he wins the general election in November.

Bill Peduto, a Democrat, had been seeking a third term against three primary challengers but instead called to congratulate Gainey, a five-term state representative. “Wishing him well,” Peduto tweeted late Tuesday.

I just called @gainey_ed and congratulated him on earning the Democratic endorsement for Mayor of the city of Pittsburgh. Wishing him well. Thank you Pittsburgh for the honor of being your Mayor these past 8 years. I will remain forever grateful.
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) May 19, 2021

Gainey was all but assured a victory in November in the heavily Democratic city. He had consistently made the campaign about equality for Black and poor residents, and accused Peduto of failing to ensure equity in policing, housing and other areas. At one point, he called Pittsburgh “a tale of two cities.”

“One person can’t change a city. A city is changed when we all come together to improve the quality of life for everybody,” Gainey told supporters late Tuesday.