Pittsburgh mayoral race could be a test for the progressive movement
Ed Gainey’s ascension to Pittsburgh mayor was significant for a number of reasons.
He was the first Black man elected to the job in the city’s 261-year history; he unseated an incumbent for the first time in nearly eight decades; and he was another notch in the belt of the region’s growing progressive movement.
Mr. Gainey was elected in 2021, at a time when the city was grappling with ongoing civil rights protests as a result of the murder of George Floyd, the COVID-19 pandemic and a city-wide notion that residents were ready for new leadership.
His victory came just three years after two candidates associated with the Democratic Socialists of America — Summer Lee and Sara Innamorato — were elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature. Both went on to higher office since Mr. Gainey’s win. Ms. Lee was sent to Congress in 2022 while Ms. Innamorato was elected county executive last year.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2025/02/10/pittsburgh-mayoral-race-ed-gainey-corey-oconnor/stories/202502080045