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Against the backdrop of a former steel mill site, Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor formally launched his campaign for Pittsburgh mayor.
After more than a decade in elected office, O’Connor debuted his first mayoral bid with stark criticism of his opponent, incumbent Ed Gainey. Gainey, elected in 2021 after serving as a state representative, announced his campaign for reelection in September. Both are seeking the Democratic nomination in the May 20 primary.
O’Connor’s primary motivation for running, he said in an interview Monday, is the mayor’s “lack of vision” for the city. He cited “wasted” spending and poor leadership during the Gainey administration.
“What I see right now is mismanagement of a city. And I think now is the perfect opportunity to come in there before we hit another financial cliff, before cities like
like Cleveland and Columbus pass us by, even though they already have,” said O’Connor, of Point Breeze.
“How do we get back on the same page as Pittsburgh is a hub for people to start moving back here, for companies to start locating here? And you just see no plan or vision to do that. And I think given the background that I have, I think you can go in [on] day one and know exactly what you want to do and how you would do it,” O’Connor said, in an interview prior to his announcement.
In a statement on Tuesday, Gainey said, “I welcome all those entering the mayoral race, as I am confident that healthy competition brings out the best ideas and will continue to foster progress in our city. This is not about personalities or politics, but instead about who can best serve the people of Pittsburgh and create a brighter future for all, and we will continue to allow this to drive our efforts.”
O’Connor made his announcement Tuesday at Hazelwood Green, where Jones & Laughlin Steel operated for much of the 20th century. Foundations purchased the brownfield site in the late 1990s, which led to redevelopment that includes a renovated Roundhouse that is now an innovation hub, a practice field for youth, a robotics center, and more.
It is located on nearly 200 acres along the Monongahela River in the city’s Hazelwood neighborhood.
O’Connor’s father, Bob, was elected mayor in 2005 after a long political career that included serving on Pittsburgh City Council and working for then-Gov. Ed Rendell. He died in 2006 after being diagnosed with brain cancer, just months after he was sworn into office.
O’Connor, in the same interview on Monday, spoke about an ongoing need for a leaner city budget.
Throughout his role as Allegheny County Controller, O’Connor focused on government efficiency and program efficacy, mainly through government audits. He said he is ready to step into a role with more power to enforce the findings of those audits.
O’Connor touted his ability to convene a “lean” team to help enact his policies, but he did not name the allies he is eyeing for roles in his potential administration.
He criticized the Gainey administration’s economic and planning studies conducted by contractors based outside of Pittsburgh, calling them a waste of public tax dollars.
In November, the administration came under fire by some City Council members for a project to map out land use in the city with a $6 million price tag.
Another major pillar of O’Connor’s campaign is what he described as “main street theory,” an approach that prioritizes investment in the primary business, shopping, and dining locations in each of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods.
“You invest a million dollars in 10 different main streets in Pittsburgh, and you start seeing a change because it's where the heart of each and every neighborhood is,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor said he plans to incentivize businesses to locate in Pittsburgh through a “one-on-one" approach. While he spoke at length about “having conversations” about driving citywide business, he did not point to specific policies he would implement or advocate for on behalf of the business community.
He also ridiculed Gainey’s pick for the Pittsburgh chief of police. Former Chief Larry Scirotto retired Nov. 1 after attempting to hold the city’s most prominent law enforcement position while simultaneously refereeing college basketball games.
Members of the Gainey administration said they were aware of discussions the mayor had with Scirotto that could allow him to return to refereeing after a year on the job.
“What I see is an administration that basically lied to the public for the last four years. When you have a backdoor agreement with the chief of police that allows him to go and referee, retire early, take our tax money, and run away....that's not being upfront and transparent,” O’Connor said.
“That is one of the most important roles in the city of Pittsburgh,” O’Connor said.
He did not specify who he would select as police chief or what qualities he would look for in a potential chief.
Just before he announced his candidacy, O’Connor also voiced his disapproval of Gainey’s practice of “defunding public safety,” and stated reducing crime would be a top priority under his administration.
Before he became county controller in 2022, O’Connor served as city councilperson for District 5, representing Regent Square, Hazelwood, Greenfield, and Swisshelm Park starting in 2012. He serves on Allegheny County’s Retirement Board, Investment Board, Depository Board, and Jail Oversight Board. He is a graduate of Duquesne University and previously worked for U.S. Congressman Mike Doyle (D-12th).
“I think right now we are in a managed decline conversation, and we have to turn the tide. Pittsburgh, I look around and people see vacant space, blight, empty storefronts right here in Downtown.
“And I look at it and say, we have opportunities and why are we not amplifying those opportunities? And I think that office can do so much more than what it's doing right now,” O’Connor said.
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