2021 Pittsburgh mayoral election

Bill Peduto was first elected in the 2013 election to succeed Luke Ravenstahl and assumed office in January 2014.[8] Peduto sought and was re-elected to a second term in the 2017 election; in November 2017, Peduto garnered 96% of the vote, having not had any significant opposition in the general election.[9]

The Democratic primary election was held on May 18, 2021. As of January 2021, four candidates had indicated an intention to seek the Democratic nomination. Retired Pittsburgh Police officer Tony Moreno announced his intention in September 2019,[10] William Peduto announced his campaign for a third term in mid—January 2021,[3] and State Representative Ed Gainey launched his campaign in late January 2021.[11] Activist Will Parker launched his campaign in mid-December 2020. In March, four Democrats had filed paperwork to appear on the ballot, Peduto, Gainey, Moreno, and college math tutor and ride-sharing driver Michael Thompson. Parker did not file nominating papers.[4]

In mid-February 2021, Pittsburgh City Paper reported candidate Tony Moreno's Twitter included tweets praising Donald Trump, were supportive of Trump causes, and contained contempt for Democrats.[12] After Pittsburgh City Paper's report was published Moreno's tweets were criticised by Pittsburgh's Democratic Committee chairman, many tweets were deleted from Moreno's Twitter, and his Twitter was switched to protected status.[13]

In early March 2021, the Allegheny County Democratic Committee announced that it had endorsed Gainey over the incumbent mayor Peduto, with 326 votes. Moreno received 224 votes. Peduto did not actively seek the endorsement of the committee, citing its endorsement of a Democratic candidate for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives who had made social media posts supportive of then-President Donald Trump. Peduto received the endorsements of some other Democratic leaders, including County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, U.S. Representative Mike Doyle, and State Senate minority leader Jay Costa.[14]

Results

Results by ward:

  Gainey—30–40%

  Gainey—40–50%

  Gainey—50–60%

  Gainey—60–70%

  Gainey—70–80%

  Peduto—30–40%

  Peduto—40–50%

  Peduto—50–60%

  Moreno—40–50%

Bill Peduto conceded the Democratic primary election to Ed Gainey on the night of the election.[29]

Democratic primary results[30]

Candidate		Votes	%
Ed Gainey		26,479	46.4
Bill Peduto (incumbent)		22,406	39.2
Tony Moreno		7,442	13.0
Michael Thompson		680	1.2
Write-in		117	0.2
Total votes		57,124	100

No Republican filed to run.[31]

Official campaign websites

• Edward Gainey (D) for Mayor
• Tony Moreno (R) for Mayor Archived May 1, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
• Will Parker (I) for Mayor
• Marlin Woods (I) for Mayor
• Bill Peduto (D) for Mayor
• Michael Thompson (D) for Mayor Archived May 3, 2021, at the Wayback Machine