Mayor Ed Gainey launches re-election campaign

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey has launched a re-election campaign.

The first-term mayor launched a new website announcing his bid for another four-year term.

“I’m running for re-election because I know that Pittsburgh can be the safest, most welcoming, and most thriving city in America,” Gainey wrote on the site. “Over the past 3 years we’ve made amazing strides, but there is still work left to do.”

On the site, Gainey touted his administration’s efforts to take out a bond to fund additional affordable housing initiatives, increase police pay and recruitment and bolster infrastructure investments.

“Homicides are down, the state of our infrastructure has improved, affordable housing options are growing, and basic services are faster — I’m proud of my record as Mayor, and excited about what we can still achieve, together,” Gainey’s message on the website said.

Pittsburgh in 2023 saw a nearly 27% drop in homicides, a figure Gainey has often highlighted as an example of how his administration has focused on public safety.

Gainey, a former state representative, in 2021 defeated incumbent Mayor Bill Peduto in the Democratic mayoral primary. He sailed to an easy victory in the general election, handily defeating Republican Tony Moreno, a former police officer.

Gainey is the city’s first Black mayor.

His administration has recently been plagued by controversy around the handling of city credit cards to hire a controversial contractor in violation of city policies, something top city officials have chalked up to “honest mistakes.”

The mayor has sought to quell concerns over the state of the city’s finances as projections show Pittsburgh’s revenues are likely to drop by about 5.5% next year.

No other candidates have formally announced plans yet to challenge Gainey next year.

Gainey appears poised to launch his re-election bid with an event at Tranquil Trail at the Fern Hollow Bridge on Sept. 7, according to a social media post.

The span, located in the city’s Frick Park, collapsed shortly after Gainey took office and was rebuilt in less than a year.