Onetime rivals Gainey, O'Connor meet in mayor's office as transition begins

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Thursday welcomed his soon-to-be successor into his Grant Street office Thursday, the first step in a transition of power as Corey O’Connor prepares to take over the city’s highest office in January.

O’Connor defeated Gainey in the Democratic primary in May after a divisive race that saw the two sharply criticize each other.

But O’Connor on Thursday said he thought it reflected well on Gainey that he opened the door for a smooth changeover.

“It shows he’s a good leader,” O’Connor said.

Gainey texted O’Connor on election night Tuesday as his onetime rival handily defeated Republican candidate Tony Moreno, a former police officer who had also lost a mayoral bid to Gainey four years earlier.

O’Connor said the mayor in his message offered to share information with the new administration ahead of his January 5 swearing-in.

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to sit down with Mayor Gainey today to discuss a smooth transition between administrations and our shared dedication to the people of Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/LRonjCN2am

— Corey O'Connor (@CoreyOConnorpa) November 6, 2025

O’Connor said the pair found common ground Thursday, discussing how O’Connor could continue to build upon Gainey’s work to reduce homicides, curb fatal vehicle collisions and support the Stop the Violence program.

They also talked about how to juggle the duties of the mayor’s office with being a dad.

O’Connor has two toddlers. His wife, Katie, described him to TribLive as a dedicated father who spends his morning helping the kids make breakfast.

“It was a good conversation,” O’Connor said of his chat with Gainey.

He said Gainey agreed to provide more specific details about the city budget and other programs in the coming days.

“It shows he cares about Pittsburgh,” O’Connor said.