Pittsburgh is on the cusp of electing its first Black mayor. After winning the Democratic primary, Ed Gainey is expected to easily win the General Election in November.
His campaign asked the question: “For whom is Pittsburgh most livable?” That and grassroots work resonated with people. Gainey won in Highland Park and East Liberty.
He got 44% of the vote in the 14th Ward - the outgoing mayor's turf. But, the majority of Democrats, 54%, voted for other candidates.
Gainey says he's reaching out to them in coming weeks.
He's well qualified to be mayor: five terms in the state House, work as a legislative aide and as a community development specialist for two mayors and Gainey is vice chair of the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Pittsburgh has voted for a change in leadership and is about to take an historic step: electing the first African-American mayor.