PG investigation: How dark money flooded the race for Pittsburgh mayor
With just weeks left in a grueling Democratic primary election that could shape Pittsburgh’s future, mayoral challenger Corey O’Connor’s dominant lead was slipping away as the incumbent seized the momentum.
With help from progressive supporters, Mayor Ed Gainey ramped up his campaign.
He launched a high-profile tour that showcased affordable housing projects carried out during his administration that had become a defining issue in the historic race.
His supporters also began leveling accusations of racism against Mr. O’Connor after an outside group supporting him — a PAC called Common Sense Change — mailed flyers to voters across the city saying Mr. Gainey was wasting public money by hiring his cronies.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2025/07/27/pittsburgh-mayor-campaign-finances-gainey-oconnor/stories/202507260006
= new reply since forum marked as read
Any time a story can be sifted down to "Democrats in disarray" - the clear winner is the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
See the thing is, the PPG is owned and operated by the ultra-wealthy MAGAs of the Block Family. They have no interest in helping Democrats, and they hate the fact that Democrats are the only viable candidates in the Pittsburgh mayoral race. Yes there was a last minute big money shift, but the shift was in donations to Mayor Ed Gainey who was losing badly to challenger Corey O'Connor in the May primary.
Ed Gainey LOST the primary, and it makes him something of a lame duck, but he can still run as an independent candidate in the Fall, if he so wishes. I don't give him much chance of winning a 2nd term though, especially since he won't have the endorsement of the Democratic Party.
There really is no "Dems in disarray" story here, as much as the Post-Gazette would love to stir one up. Corey O'Connor has always been the sentimental favorite of Pittsburgh Democrats. Combine that with the lukewarm record of Ed Gainey's 4 years, and outcome of the May primary isn't puzzling at all.
