Democrat Corey O’Connor took the stage before hundreds of supporters at a South Side union hall an hour after polls closed Tuesday night and declared victory in his race for Pittsburgh mayor.
“I am humbled and inspired by the great honor and privilege of serving as your next mayor,” O’Connor told the crowd after sharing a hug and kiss with his wife, Katie.
O’Connor, who will become Pittsburgh’s 62nd mayor, fought off an uphill challenge by Republican Anthony Moreno, a former city police officer.
In a 10-minute speech, O’Connor acknowledged the reality of taking over a city facing its share of financial difficulties.
“The road that we will travel is long and steeply uphill, but I promise you this: I will be honest and transparent about the challenges we face,” O’Connor said. “I will listen to each and every one of you.”
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• In nod to his father, Pittsburgh Mayor-elect O’Connor hits the streets to thank voters
Moreno, speaking from the Moonlite Cafe in Brookline, said shortly before 11 p.m. he was preparing to call O’Connor to concede.
“Going forward, I expect 100% transparency and accountability out of our government,” Moreno told TribLive.
He said he wished O’Connor “godspeed and the best of luck.”
“And to people, don’t give up,” Moreno said. “They have to keep telling our leaders what they expect from them, what they demand from them.”
O’Connor swiftly found himself on a glide path to victory.
He jumped out to such a commanding early lead based on only mail-in and absentee ballots that the Associated Press called the race for him before 8:30 p.m. — less than a half-hour after polls closed.
Shortly before midnight, with more than 90% of precincts reporting, O’Connor had received 85% of votes compared with under 13% for Moreno, according to unofficial election returns.
News of the AP’s projection of victory prompted cheers from about 300 O’Connor supporters gathered at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall.
O’Connor will replace incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey, the city’s first mayor of color, whom he defeated in the Democratic primary in May.
O’Connor told reporters he had received a text message from Gainey on Tuesday night after his victory and said he would coordinate with the incumbent mayor during the transition between administrations.
O’Connor, 41, of Point Breeze is Allegheny County’s controller. A former city councilman, he is the son of the late Mayor Bob O’Connor.
“I’m sure mom and dad are happy somewhere,” O’Connor told the crowd, his voice cracking.
O’Connor plans to hold signs thanking Pittsburghers on street corners Wednesday morning, a tribute to the way his father had shown appreciation after winning the mayor’s office two decades ago.
He said he plans to launch a transition website as early as Wednesday that will ask Pittsburghers for their vision for the city.
Announcements about his administration picks are expected in the coming weeks. He plans to announce his nominee for police chief in early December.
O’Connor on Tuesday confirmed that Dan Gilman, who served as former Mayor Bill Peduto’s chief of staff, will have a role in his administration.
“You’re going to see a blend of people who understand Pittsburgh because we have to start on day one,” O’Connor said.
The mayor-elect acknowledged he will take the reins of a city facing challenges. His top priorities will include analyzing the city’s budget — which will experience tight margins in the coming years — streamlining permitting and building affordable housing.
O’Connor said he plans to create an economic development team that will encourage companies now in Pittsburgh to expand their footprints in the city and draw in new businesses.
O’Connor started his victory speech by thanking his family and telling supporters a story about his son this morning by.@TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/4y6uU0Y0K2
— Julia Burdelski (@JuliaBurdelski) November 5, 2025
Moreno, 57, of Brighton Heights came in third in the 2021 Democratic mayoral primary before running as a Republican in the general election, losing to Gainey.
On the campaign trail, O’Connor said the city needs new leadership. He vowed to rein in city spending amid financial challenges and convince the city’s biggest nonprofits to help pay for important expenses, like new ambulances.
His vision for the city focuses on incentivizing economic growth and making Pittsburgh a place where people would want to raise their families.
O’Connor said he will prioritize hiring a permanent police chief after the bureau has seen five different top cops under Gainey’s tenure.
Moreno campaigned on being a changemaker who would bring a different approach to city hall after decades of Democratic leadership.
Moreno pledged to grow the police bureau, cut back on spending and clamp down on homeless encampments.
In a city where Democrats hold an overwhelming voter registration edge, O’Connor was viewed as the strong favorite in the mayoral race. He steadily outpaced Moreno in fundraising. As of the last campaign finance filing deadline on Oct. 20, O’Connor had over $531,000 compared with Moreno’s roughly $5,000.
