Corey O'Connor is probably the sentimental favorite for many Democrats living in Pittsburgh. He's currently the Allegheny County Controller (elected in 2022) and he's the son of Bob O'Connor, the highly regarded mayor who tragically died in office in 2005. Corey was only 21 years old at the time of his father's death, but he has spent his entire career serving Pittsburgh and Allegheny County in various roles and capacities.
More info on Corey O'Connor is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corey_O%27Connor
Mayor Ed Gainey has been in office for one term, elected in 2022, as a result of winning the Democratic primary race against former Mayor Bill Peduto. Gainey has had some successes, but some notable failures such as the revolving door with the Chief of Police, and the inability to negotiate property tax assessments with the city's large nonprofit medical facilities.
More info on Mayor Ed Gainey is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Gainey
Every mayoral candidate including the incumbent recognizes the importance of winning the Democratic primary. What and who the Republicans support for the Dem race is rather irrelevant, and that's the truth of Pittsburgh.
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