Mayor Corey O’Connor, City Council members take oath of office in Pittsburgh

A New Year means new leadership in the Steel City. 

Pittsburgh – fresh off a nail-biting, division-clinching Steelers win on Sunday night – had its new executive and legislative leaders take the oath of office on Monday. 

Democrat Corey O’Connor, who defeated the incumbent Ed Gainey – the city’s first Black mayor – in the Democratic primary last spring, is the son of former Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor and previously served as Allegheny County Controller and a member of Pittsburgh City Council. He defeated Republican Tony Moreno in the general election after upsetting Gainey. 

Alongside new and reelected City Council members, O’Connor formally took office on Monday, becoming the city’s 62nd mayor in the process. 

In his inaugural address, O’Connor outlined a vision of “hope and optimism” for the city and said a brighter future is possible for Pittsburgh. “Pittsburghers are resilient, hard-working and generous,” he said. “A brighter future requires that we lean into these attributes – it requires that we reimagine the city in ways not done before.”

O’Connor said Pittsburgh will need to work through challenges, including financial difficulties and the need to improve public safety services. He also expressed a desire to improve small business districts and Main Streets, and increase access to housing.

“Now it’s time to change Pittsburgh’s culture, both how we feel about ourselves and how the world sees us. It’s time to become a city of hope and optimism, where your dreams can come true,” he said.

Earlier in the day, in a message to elected leaders on the Pittsburgh City Council, O’Connor said he looks forward to working with Council members. “We have a difficult job ahead of us, but I look forward to building a city for all of us and growing Pittsburgh with each and every one of you,” he said. “We have a great opportunity to sell Pittsburgh, not only to our residents, but to the whole world.”

On Council, Kim Salinetro, the one-time chief of staff for the recently retired Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, is taking the seat of the former District 2 leader. Monday’s swearing-in also included Anthony Coghill and Dan Lavelle, who retained their seats, and Erika Strassburger, who ran unopposed in last year’s race. 

Strassburger, who was sworn in Monday for her third term on City Council, congratulated and thanked both O’Connor and his predecessor Ed Gainey, of whom she said: “He has done some incredible work, and I wish him all the best in the future.” Addressing O’Connor, Strassburger said the City Council is “looking forward to a great four years together.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro was in Pittsburgh for the inauguration festivities and offered well-wishes to O’Connor during his ceremony. “As you take this oath of office today, know that you have a city that’s cheering you on, that is hopeful about our future, and a commonwealth that is rooting for your success,” the governor said, adding that he will be O’Connor’s “partner in progress.”

“In your hands, Mayor O’Connor, the future of Pittsburgh is bright,” Shapiro added. “I wish you Godspeed as you pick up the baton and carry it forward. Good luck, my friend.”