5 things to know about Pittsburgh's mayoral race

Pittsburgh voters on Tuesday will elect a new mayor.

Incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey lost the Democratic primary in May, leaving voters to choose a new leader for the city.

Here are five things voters should know:

Who are the candidates?

The Democratic candidate is Corey O’Connor, 41, of Point Breeze.

O’Connor has been the Allegheny County controller since 2022. Before that, he spent about a decade on Pittsburgh City Council, where he authored the city’s paid sick days act, spearheaded an effort to create a new infrastructure commission and pushed for gun reform bills that were ultimately struck down in court.

The Republican nominee is Tony Moreno, 57, of Brighton Heights.

Moreno is a former city police officer. He ran as a Democrat in the last mayoral race four years ago, coming in third behind Gainey and then-Mayor Bill Peduto. He then ran as a Republican, again losing to Gainey. This year, he defeated small business owner Thomas West in the Republican primary.

Where do they stand on top issues?

Both candidates have been vocal in their criticisms of the current mayoral administration and have portrayed themselves as candidates who could steer the city in a better direction.

Both have said they would prioritize recruiting and retaining more police officers and hiring a police chief. They agree the city needs to spend more responsibly and prioritize core city services, like paving roads and plowing snow.

Their views on immigration, however, contrast starkly.

O’Connor has said he would not cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement as President Donald Trump ramps up immigration actions, particularly in Democrat-controlled cities.

Moreno, on the other hand, has said he would cooperate with ICE officials.

Both agree they would oppose the National Guard policing the city, as Trump has suggested surging the National Guard to cities he believes are crime-ridden.

O’Connor has campaigned on economic growth, saying he wants to attract more businesses to the city and slash red tape for developers looking to build in Pittsburgh. He has said he wants to expand hours at recreation centers and encourage people to raise their families in Pittsburgh.

Moreno’s primary focus has been increasing public safety. He has said he would look to take a harder stance on homelessness, telling people they could not live in tent encampments. He also wants to clean up Downtown.

What problems will the new mayor face?

The city’s next mayor will have to grapple with fiscal challenges in the coming years.

Pittsburgh is facing difficult financial times, exacerbated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s recent decision that Pittsburgh cannot collect a controversial tax on out-of-town performers and athletes.

The city’s property tax revenue has taken a hit, particularly as Downtown skyscrapers have seen values decrease since the covid-19 pandemic spurred a widespread shift to remote work.

Pittsburgh’s next mayor also will inherit an aging vehicle fleet, a police bureau whose staffing has dropped to its lowest numbers in two decades and a longstanding question of how to convince the city’s major nonprofits to pay their fair share.

How can I vote?

Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line to vote by 8 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballots.

Voters can find their polling places through the Pennsylvania Department of State website.

Anyone who has received a mail-in ballot can drop it off from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the County Office Building at 542 Forbes Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh.

When will the new mayor take office?

The winner of Tuesday’s election will be sworn in on the first Monday of the new year. That falls on January 5.