Gainey Grabs Overwhelming Lead In Pittsburgh Mayoral Race

UPDATED, 10:36 p.m.

PITTSBURGH, PA — For months, Ed Gainey has had his sights set on making Pittsburgh history. He appears to be on the verge of having succeeded.

Gainey, 51, a state representative from Lincoln-Lemington, has been on course to be elected the city's first Black mayor in Tuesday's election. His only obstacle at the polls was retired city policeman Tony Moreno, 52, who ran on the Republican ticket after finishing a distant third in the Democratic primary behind Gainey and current Mayor Bill Peduto.

With 79 percent of precincts reporting, Gainey had 41,372 votes to Moreno's 17,061, according to Allegheny County elections division results. All results are unofficial.

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Gainey's primary victory in May made him the prohibitive favorite, as Democrats have an overwhelming 5-1 registration edge in the city. Pittsburgh's last Republican mayor, John S. Herron, left office in 1934.

Moreno, however, said when he switched his party affiliation that it would not impact his positions on the issues.

"Make no mistake, the political banner that I will be running under will never change who I am," he said. "It doesn't change my vision and plan for this city. It merely reflects the letter next to my name on the ballot."

Gainey has represented the 24th Legislative District since 2013. The district includes his neighborhood as well as Homewood, East Liberty, East Hills and Wilkinsburg, which is just outside the city border.

Gainey was a former aide to Joe Preston, his predecessor as the district's representative. He also worked for the city in a community and economic development position.

Here's where they stood on several key issues, according to the League of Women Voters voting guide for Pittsburgh:

Police reform and accountability

Gainey said he favors demilitarizing police equipment and training, redirecting resources from militarized gear and tactics into implementing community policing strategies, establishing alternative response procedures for nonviolent and mental health emergencies and use of fore reform.

"We need to change the way we police this city," he said. "If elected, I’m committed to real police reform that ensures that no Pittsburgher lives in fear of crime, or of the police."

Moreno said he wanted to implement evaluations upward as well as down the chain of command to hold everyone on the force accountable. Leadership training would be prioritized over promotion, and promotions would be based on an individual's work, not on nepotism or favoritism.

"The complaint process has shown the police department is failing and lacking in accountability and approval by the citizens of Pittsburgh," he said.

Affordable housing

Moreno said he would target existing abandoned buildings and homes, rehab them, and make them available to people currently awaiting housing. He'd utilize the local workforce with specific job training to rehab existing buildings under blue-collar trades training programs that he plans.

"I would utilize community input for housing needs with regard to who to make the specific properties available," he said.

Gainey said he would deploy tools such as community land trusts, the Land Bank and inclusionary zoning to build neighborhoods that are accessible to everyone. He also would focus the resources of the city housing authority and Urban Redevelopment Authority on expanding affordable housing options.

"As a state representative, I’ve championed the development of affordable housing in my district and fought on behalf of residents facing displacement," he said. "As mayor, I will invest in housing every Pittsburgher can afford."

Climate change and social, environmental and economic justice

Gainey said he is committed to a zero-harm, zero-exclusion agenda focusing on those who have been left furthest behind, defending their right to belong and contribute and treating them like they are assets to the city.

"Interconnected injustices require an intersectional response," he said. "If we attempt to address exclusion in silos, people who face multiple injustices end up falling through the cracks. Breaking through those silos requires active leadership that understands how inequalities compound for our most marginalized communities."

Moreno wanted to increase the city foresty and environmental services departments to improve the city's air and water quality. He also contends he has a comprehensive plan for job opportunities and training for underserved communities.

"The start if with driver's licenses (to include driver training)," he said. "The ability to drive legally is imperative for opportunities in many fields or trades."

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