Pittsburgh’s mayoral race pits two political insiders, the incumbent and a longtime state representative, against two outsiders, a retired cop and an Ivy League-educated math tutor/ride-hailing driver.

Talk of equity and reform unite the men, but each have different approaches to the subject.

The May 18 Democratic primary likely decides the office. The heavily Democratic city hasn’t elected a Republican mayor since the 1930s, and no independent or third-party candidates are on the horizon for the November general election.

The incumbent, Bill Peduto, 56, of Point Breeze, is seeking a nearly-unprecedented third term in office. A veteran of Pittsburgh politics, he was first elected to city council in 2001, and ran twice for mayor before winning in 2013.

Peduto says he’s accomplished more in two terms as mayor as anyone else before him and wants a last term to see through the initiatives he’s launched.

The challengers include state Rep. Ed Gainey, 51, of Lincoln-Lemington. He’s in his fifth term representing the 24th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Before that, Gainey was a legislative aide to longtime state Rep. Joseph Preston Jr. of East Liberty. He went on to run against Preston three times for the seat, prevailing in 2012. Before winning the House seat, Gainey was a community development specialist for former Pittsburgh mayors Tom Murphy and Luke Ravenstahl.

Gainey has the endorsement of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, SEIU Healthcare PA and others, including city Councilwoman Deb Gross.

Peduto has the support of the eight other city council members, along with SEIU 32BJ, and a bevy of others.

Then, there are the outsiders:

Tony Moreno, 51, of Brighton Heights, is a retired Pittsburgh police officer who has run a populist campaign as an outsider to politics-as-usual. He promises pragmatic decisions if elected.

Michael Thompson, 38, of Oakland, is the youngest candidate. He is a math tutor and ride-hailing-service driver who touts his education at Brown University and a Mr. Rogers-like approach to city business.

There are few policy differences between Peduto and Gainey. Both say they are committed to making Pittsburgh an equitable city for all residents, including minorities; they also talk about community-oriented police reforms, creating affordable housing and economic development.

Peduto has had nearly eight years to accomplish his goals, but Gainey said the incumbent hasn’t delivered on his lofty promises.

Peduto maintains that change takes time and he’s trying to do things never before tried in Pittsburgh. He’s also been a player on the national and international stage and has lobbied to make the city a leader in green and sustainable initiatives.

He’s also worked to make the city view equity as a lens through which all other programs are measured, has expanded programs for the LGBTQIA+ community and other minorities and worked with council to improve relationships with the Black community. Peduto has also been dogged by lack of progress on some programs, such as a Land Bank that has yet to achieve its development goals.

The most complex policy goal has been working with the city’s major nonprofits to contribute more to the city’s budget. After assuming office, Peduto ended a lawsuit against UPMC filed by his predecessor that sought to remove the health care giant’s nonprofit status. After much negotiation, he announced on April 29 that the long-talked-about OnePGH program was in place, including $115 million in commitments from UPMC and other major nonprofits to fund programs to help the city.

Gainey promises to renew the court battle against UPMC, and has said making Pittsburgh a “city for all” is a priority. He also wants to reform the police department, stripping it of any militarization and making it more community-oriented so Black neighborhoods aren’t overpoliced.

The newcomers offer different options.

As a retired cop, Moreno says he has the wherewithal to provide the leadership to reform the police department and to restart initiatives that were in place but not acted upon before he retired from the department.

He also promises to take a pragmatic approach to city government, identifying problems and finding solutions to them.

Thompson proposes the most drastic plan overall: He pledges to break the police union and remake policing in the city, even if it means relying on Pennsylvania State Police for a while.

Both Moreno and Thompson say they won’t let developers and special-interest groups skew their priorities.

In advance of the May 18 primary, the Tribune-Review put a set of questions to all the candidates. Here are their answers:

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Gainey: “I like to get the job done. I like to execute. You have to be able to communicate and talk if you’re going to have a world class city. We need a city where people don’t have to leave here to make it. The disparities are out opportunity. Everyone talks about it, but no one makes it a priority yet.”

Peduto: “The ability to bring people together. That doesn’t mean being able to build a bridge (but) having the ability beyond the power of the office. A lifetime of building relationships and a reputation. I have a unique ability to bring different parts of Pittsburgh together under a common agenda.”

Moreno: “I’m the only one with real answers to these problems. All of their (Peduto’s and Gainey’s) problem-solving comes from a political point-of-view. I’m the only one who can come in and make these changes without any kind of outside influence and that is directly aimed at helping the citizens of Pittsburgh.”

Thompson: “I’m not an established politician. Too often, we don’t dream big enough. Radical change is possible (references the covid pandemic) it can change from good things as well. I’m not an insider. I offer hope and not being stuck in the ways of the past.”

What the biggest issue facing the city?

Gainey: “Police/community relations. We made mistakes and we have to correct them (during protests last year). Now we have to heal that. We’ve got to get back to relationships and be honest with each other.”

Peduto: “Inequity and opportunity. Opportunities exist in the city that we have not seen for 50 years, but they don’t exist for everyone. Opportunities for advancement are happening … but not for all.”

Moreno: “The mayor’s failed policies. Crime is through the roof because people don’t have jobs. There’s a workforce out there that’s crying for training. People don’t have mobility, we need driver’s training.”

Thompson: “We need real police reform. This is the issue of the moment. We need to change the police department and reform it now in response to the demands of the people.”

What will you do about it?

Gainey: “Demilitarize the police force. I’m not sure who we’re at war with. We need to get back to community-oriented policing. We’re hurting the Black community.”

Peduto: “Build off of what we’ve created. We’ve changed the entire focus of city government so that everything is looked at through the lens of equity … what we need to do now if take it to the next step where that becomes the practice no matter who the mayor is.”

Moreno: “Pittsburgh first. Citizens first. Directed that way, everything will get better.”

Thompson: “I’m proposing radical police reform. Put forth a new police force.”

Why should voters choose you?

Gainey: “It’s a vision and leadership that wants to see this city become more welcoming to keep our youth here. We need to work. A vote for Ed Gainey is a vote that says ‘Listen, I want unity in Pittsburgh.’ I want to build a Pittsburgh for all.“

Peduto: “We’ve done a lot in city government over these past seven years and people can see a tangible difference within the city. My goal is to complete the job. Finish that work and be able to hand off a city that is better than at any point in my lifetime.”

Moreno: “I’m the only one creating solutions that can be taken care of right now. Targeting the problems. I had a career and I’m coming out of retirement to step in and take care of the city. I’m the only one who cares about it that way and I’m trying to give back.”

Thompson: “I’m 38. I’m a nice Jewish guy. I’m here to help. My only desire in life is to help others. My goal isn’t to make money. I value service over financial gain. It’s an idea of back to basics.”

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