Ed Gainey's Goals: Make Pittsburgh Safe, Affordable & Diverse

PITTSBURGH, PA — Ed Gainey had an optimistic message for Pittsburgh the day after his historic election victory that will make him the city's first Black mayor.

"This victory is our victory," Gainey stated via Twitter. "Waking up this morning, I am filled with hope because of all of you. Together we are building a Pittsburgh that will empower every neighborhood. Together we are building a city for all."

Gainey, 51, a state representative from the city's Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood, rolled to an easy victory over Republican candidate Tony Moreno. With 96 percent of the results in, Gainey had 48,430 votes to Moreno's 19,552, according to the Allegheny County elections division. All
results are unofficial.

Get local news updates right to your inbox. Subscribe to Patch: https://patch.com/subscribe

Outgoing Mayor Bill Peduto, whom Gainey defeated in the Democratic primary in May, promised a smooth transition shortly after Gainey declared victory Tuesday night.

"Congratulations to Mayor-elect Ed Gainey," Peduto said in a tweet. "I look forward to working with you and your team on a progressive transition for the betterment of all of Pittsburgh. Here’s to the next chapter. Do great things!"

Moreno was not nearly as equanimous in defeat, telling KDKA Radio Tuesday night that he hopes Gainey "doesn't get arrested."

Matt Smith, president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and a former colleague of Gainey's in the state House, said he has "first-hand knowledge Gainey's leadership and his strength as a consensus builder.

“Now more than ever, a strong urban core is essential to the vitality of the broader region," Smith said. "We stand ready to work alongside Mr. Gainey and his new administration to identify how we can continue to position our community to emerge from the pandemic healthier and stronger than ever.”

Gainey said his goals are to build "the safest, most affordable, and most diverse city in America, a city that values the working people who built it, maintain it, and keep it running.

"We can be a city where everyone can belong and contribute, where everyone has a seat at the
table, where no one is left behind or pushed out... We can only do this together, and now more than ever we need to work together to build a brighter future for each other. Now let’s go get it."

Be the first to know what’s happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you’ll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.