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Corey O'Connor will begin his term as Pittsburgh's new mayor with a focus on growth and families
O’Connor will be sworn in as Pittsburgh’s next mayor on Monday
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2026/01/04/pittsburgh-oconnor-mayor-inauguration/stories/202512310060
As Corey O’Connor prepares to be sworn in Monday as Pittsburgh’s next mayor, he’s looking to change how government approaches longstanding problems in an effort to reshape the city into a hub for businesses and families.
Mr. O’Connor’s inauguration will take place Monday afternoon at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland — almost 20 years to the date that his father, Bob O’Connor, became mayor.
His return to the city’s seat of government on Grant Street brings him back to where his political career began. He spent a decade on City Council before serving three years as Allegheny County controller. Taking office as the 62nd mayor of Pennsylvania’s second largest city will come with immediate challenges.
Mr. O’Connor, taking the reins from outgoing Mayor Ed Gainey, likely will bear the brunt of residents’ ire when property tax bills come this spring — 20% higher than last year. He will also have to manage city services such as snow removal and trash pickup, which Pittsburghers have long complaint about, further compounded by the city’s aging vehicle fleet.
He’ll welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city for the upcoming NFL Draft in April as a first-term mayor with a new police chief and public safety director.
Pittsburgh’s problems are decades in the making and won’t be resolved with a change in administration. But Mr. O’Connor, who defeated Mr. Gainey in the Democratic primary in the spring and then beat former police officer Tony Moreno in November, has ambitious plans.
- more at link -
Mr. O’Connor’s inauguration will take place Monday afternoon at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland — almost 20 years to the date that his father, Bob O’Connor, became mayor.
His return to the city’s seat of government on Grant Street brings him back to where his political career began. He spent a decade on City Council before serving three years as Allegheny County controller. Taking office as the 62nd mayor of Pennsylvania’s second largest city will come with immediate challenges.
Mr. O’Connor, taking the reins from outgoing Mayor Ed Gainey, likely will bear the brunt of residents’ ire when property tax bills come this spring — 20% higher than last year. He will also have to manage city services such as snow removal and trash pickup, which Pittsburghers have long complaint about, further compounded by the city’s aging vehicle fleet.
He’ll welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city for the upcoming NFL Draft in April as a first-term mayor with a new police chief and public safety director.
Pittsburgh’s problems are decades in the making and won’t be resolved with a change in administration. But Mr. O’Connor, who defeated Mr. Gainey in the Democratic primary in the spring and then beat former police officer Tony Moreno in November, has ambitious plans.
It's not going to be an easy job and Mr. O'Connor has no illusions. But as this article illustrates, there are some great ideas and possibilities to rebuild Pittsburgh. It's going to take energy, enthusiasm and cooperation from the largest employers, unions, businesses and non-profits in Pittsburgh to make this happen.
We are hopeful that Corey O'Connor will bring everyone together to solve problems and inspire a renaissance in our city.
Good luck, Mayor Corey O'Connor!
