Gainey lost in Pittsburgh because he failed to govern

PITTSBURGH — For the second consecutive Democratic primary cycle, an incumbent city of Pittsburgh mayor fell to a member of his own party. Last night, Mayor Ed Gainey lost to fellow Democrat Corey O’Connor in a race that wasn’t even close by the end of the night.

Just four years earlier, Gainey, then a representative in the state legislature, defeated then-sitting Democratic mayor Bill Peduto in a primary. Peduto, who was seeking a third term, lost following a year of protests in the streets and in front of his home in the aftermath of George Floyd.