2 candidates running to replace outgoing Ricky Burgess on Pittsburgh City Council

Two Democrats are vying for a seat on Pittsburgh City Council in District 9, where Councilman Ricky Burgess will not be seeking another term.

Burgess was first elected to council in 2007, but is not seeking reelection.

Looking to fill his seat are Khari Mosley, political director of the advocacy group 1Hood Media, and Khadijah Harris, who works as an independent financial adviser.

The district includes East Liberty, Homewood, East Hills, Larimer, Point Breeze North, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Friendship and Garfield.

Mosley, 46, of North Point Breeze, studied political science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has worked for former Pittsburgh City Councilman Sala Udin, former Mayor Bill Peduto’s campaign and various political organizations, including The League of Young Voters and Blue Green Alliance. He is married to Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Chelsa Wagner.

Mosley said his mother was always involved in politics, his grandfather was a union leader and his grandmother volunteered for John F. Kennedy’s campaign.

“I think that was how I got the political bug,” he said.

Mosley said he wants to bolster community engagement and said he would be accessible and responsive in office. He said he’s been attending community meetings and encouraging people to engage with local government.

If elected, Mosley said, housing would be one of his top priorities.

“One of the things we have to do is figure out how we can do development in an equitable way,” he said, explaining that he feels development is necessary to be a modern city and a tech hub, but not at the expense of current residents.

He said he would like to see unused and vacant lands get back on the tax roles, particularly as affordable housing units.

Mosley advocated also for a “comprehensive response team” comprised of law enforcement, poverty experts, mental health specialists and others to tackle public safety issues throughout the city. He called for additional programming to tackle root causes of crime and violence, like homelessness and food insecurity.

He said he would work to foster a closer partnership with local schools to ensure that there are “proactive” resources for students and families.

Mosley said he also would like to see redeveloped business districts throughout the neighborhoods he would represent. He envisions those areas honoring the history and culture of the neighborhoods, while providing economic opportunities, revitalizing communities and providing new opportunities for local business and entrepreneurs.

“I think we have this opportunity to move our region forward and really maximize the fullest potential of our region,” Mosley said.

Harris, 53, of Homewood, said she’s running for office out of a desire to serve her community. She grew up in Homewood, moved away in 2013, and returned about two years ago.

“The community I was born and raised in, they really cared for me,” Harris said, adding that she was “devastated” to return to Homewood a few years ago to see people struggling with drug and alcohol abuse and many of the recreational opportunities she had had as a child vanished.

“That’s the whole drive behind (this campaign),” Harris, who has worked in nonprofit management and now is an independent broker with a financial advising license, said.

If elected, Harris said, her first priority would be “safe spaces for residents and the youth” that offer life coaches, mental health therapists and others who can properly support young people who are struggling.

She called also for access to quality rehabilitation facilities to help people struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.

Harris said she wants to bolster homeownership rates throughout the district in an effort to address housing problems and provide families more stability.

“I really believe homeownership tackles so many of our problems,” she said. “They have pride in their community, they own something in the community, and they’re passing wealth down to the next generation.”

She said she would work to expand first-time homebuyer assistance programs to make it easier for people to cover the up-front expenses, like a down payment and closing costs.

Harris also said she would like to see higher standards for landlords who accept Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income residents. She said she feels there should be additional requirements for upgrades in those housing units.