By Bob Bauder

Published: Monday, January 28, 2013, 1:28 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Former Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Franco “Dok” Harris — the son of Steelers great Franco Harris — announced Monday he will run for the City Council seat held by Daniel Lavelle.

Harris, 33, of Downtown, who ran against Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in 2009, is an attorney and businessman with degrees from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business.

Harris, a Democrat, said Pittsburgh is a first-class city but lacks political leadership that can make it an even better place to live and work. He promised to be a “tireless advocate” for Hill District revitalization, Downtown development and crime reduction in the North Side, all neighborhoods in Lavelle's District 6. Harris said his father and mother, Dana — “a relentless fundraiser” — would help with his campaign.

“My goal is to be that relentless advocate and untiring protector of residents and businesses,” Harris said.

Lavelle, 35, of the Hill, who is running for a second term, said he already fills that role.

“I welcome his challenge,” said Lavelle, who chairs the council's land use and economic development committee. “I feel very confident about what we've done over the past three years.”

Bob Bauder is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-765-2312 or bbauder@tribweb.com.

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