The Duke and DSR bring live coverage of the mayor’s race in Pittsburgh.
Kaitlyn Hughes | news editor
Josh Imhof | features editor
Charlotte Shields-Rossi | a&e editor
Eliyahu Gasson| editor & editor-in-chief
[11:06 p.m.] O’Connor claims victory
O’Connor walked on stage as mayor elect for the first time as “Who says you can’t go home” by Bon Jovi blasted over the speakers.
The hundreds of people in attendance erupted with applause, and O’Connor began by thanking his wife, family and supporters.
He teared up as he took time to acknowledge his late parents.
“There are obviously two people that aren’t with us tonight, but I’m sure mom and dad are somewhere tonight.”
O’Connor also thanked his opponent, Republican Tony Moreno for his “eagerness” and “willingness” to run.
O’Connor finished by emphasizing the need to look ahead.
“After we are done celebrating tonight, tomorrow the hard work begins. The road that we will travel is long and steeply uphill … I can’t do this alone. I’m asking you to join me in remaking this great city,” he said. “This is our moment, Pittsburgh. We must seize this moment.”
[10:46 p.m.] RCAC watch party
As the night went on, Democrats took the lead in races for City Council and Allegheny County Council.
Republican Erin Koper lost to her Democratic opponent Kim Salinetro in the race to represent District 2 on Pittsburgh City Council.
She said as a Republican it would be harder for her to win this election. But she said this will not stop her advocacy in the community.
“No matter what, I’m not going to stop,” Koper said. “I’m going to hold whoever wins accountable.”
Jonathan Collins, president for College Republicans at Duquesne, supported Allegheny County Council candidate Mary Jo Wise throughout her campaign. He said Wise’s opponent beating her was a “somber loss.”
“You need compromise from both parties and I don’t see that happening,” he said.
[10:31 p.m.] Tony Moreno Concedes
After it was clear that Moreno was defeated, attendees began leaving his watch party. Moreno prepared to concede. Moments before Moreno got in front of cameras, he reflected on his experience of running for mayor.
“This was not for nothing,” he said. “I’m comforted by the people that have come and helped us.”
Moreno put on his suit jacket and invited his family to join him in front of the camera as he began his concession speech. He started his speech by thanking his family and friends. He gave a message to both Democrats and Republicans asking them to make the city better.
“Pittsburgh thank you so much God speed everybody,” Moreno said.
[10:22 p.m.] Statement from Duquesne University President Ken Gormley
Duquesne University President Ken Gormley said he’s thrilled to see Corey O’Connor, who graduated from Duquesne in 2007, win Pittsburgh’s mayoral election.
“[O’Connor’s] dedication to public service, deep commitment to Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and lifelong love for this city reflect the Catholic Spiritan values that guide both his leadership and Duquesne’s lifelong mission,” he said in a news release.
Gormley also thanked Mayor Ed Gainey for the work the city has done with the university to help Duquesne realize its mission.
“[The Gainey administration] have been excellent partners and have laid a strong foundation for continued progress,” he said.
[9:28] RCAC watch party
Jonathan Collins, the president of Duquesne’s chapter of College Republicans, came to the RCAC watch party to help his fellow students get more involved with local politics.
He said that some members in the club want to be politicians one day, and this helped them realize that politicians are people just like them and their aspirations are achievable.
“It helps put a face to the name,” he said.
Collins said he wishes Pittsburgh mayor-elect Corey O’Connor the best in the future.
“Sincerely, we hope he does good things for the city and Duquesne,” he said.
[9:25 p.m.] Tony Moreno Watch Party
The room became quieter as attendees looked at their phones to check the election results. As the votes became more favorable for an O’Connor win, Moreno got up and addressed the crowd. He reminded them that mail-in ballots lean Democrat.
“Cheer up man honestly,” Moreno said. “I’ll let you know when it’s time to be bummed.”
After Moreno gave the speech he put his glasses on and went back to his computer. His team began crunching the numbers to figure out if he still had a shot at victory.
[8:44 p.m.] Corey O’Connor Watch Party
District 1 Councilman Bobby Wilson said he believes O’Connor will be able to handle the city’s dwindling budget, as well as foster a cooperative relationship between his administration and city council.
“I believe he’s going to put together [an administration] that’s really going to work with the council. That type of relationship is really important,” Wilson said. “I think that’s a relationship that we didn’t really see thrive this past four years.”
[8:30 p.m.] Tony Moreno Watch Party
Tony Moreno entered the private back room of Moonlite Cafe, met with applause from supporters and camera flash from various reporters at the event.
“Thanks for coming, I know it was a long day,” Moreno said. “Let’s sit back and watch the numbers come in.”
Moreno isn’t focused on the numbers and still has hope he will win.
“I’m excited,” Moreno said. “I’m not worried about [the numbers] right now.”
Moreno said that the majority of votes currently counted are mail-in ballots, which favor Democratic votes. After talking with the press, Moreno grabed a slice of pizza and went to look at the numbers himself.
[8:21 p.m.] Republican watch party at Steel Mill Saloon in Mount Washington
Energy is high at the Steel Mill Saloon as polls begin to close and guests make their way to the Republican watch party.
The only candidate at the party is Erin Koper who is running for Pittsburgh City Council to represent District 2.
Jason Richey, the chairman for the Republican Committee of Allegheny County, said he hopes to see more candidates to show out.
He said he is nervous for the night ahead.
“I feel like the head coach of the team. My team has been on the practice field all day and I’m waiting to see how we did,” Richey said.
He said being a chairman of the Republican committee is a huge responsibility because voters in the county tend to lean Democratic.
“I feel like as a chairman we need to do better as the Republican party and put great candidates out and have an impact on the government to make Pittsburgh great again,” Richey said.
Richey declined to comment on why the Republican Committee of Allegheny County did not endorse Tony Moreno, who is the Republican nominee for Pittsburgh mayor.
[8:20 p.m.] Corey O’Connor Watch Party
Nick Miller, Duquesne SGA president, interned on O’Connor’s campaign in the spring. He said he attended the event because he wanted to come back and show his support.
“It’s just who he is. He’s a genuine person and he carries that genuineness in every conversation he has,” Miller said. “I think that’s rare today.”
One of the things that drew Miller to support O’Connor were his words about finding a new police chief during one of the mayoral debates between him and Republican candidate Tony Moreno. He liked how O’Connor said he would pick a candidate based on “how committed they were to Pittsburgh.”
Miller also hopes to see the Duquesne University area of Fifth Avenue developed more.
“I see a lot of value in that. Whether it’s bringing in more restaurants, more shops, there’s such a busy area with the arena and Duquesne,” Miller said.
Miller also stressed the importance of voting, no matter what political affiliation.
“This mayoral election truly impacts all Duquesne students,” he said.
[8 p.m.] Tony Moreno Watch Party
Guests made their way into Moonlite Cafe in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood around 7:40 to wait for election results.
This is Kevin Karman’s second campaign with Moreno. He has been using word of mouth to stir up support for the Republican mayoral candidate. He isn’t sure what the election results will be.
“I’m hopeful but this is a Democrat-based city,” Karman said.
He finds it troublesome that Pittsburgh has gone without a Republican mayor in almost a century, he wants a change and believes that a large Republican turn out is the key to a Moreno win.
“The Democrats are not our issue, it’s the deadbeat Republicans that only vote in presidential elections,” Karman said.
[7:40 p.m.] Corey O’Connor Watch Party
Guests are making their way into the IBEW Local 5 building to await the results of the 2025 Pittsburgh Mayoral election.
IBEW Business Manager Thomas McIntyre said that Corey O’Connor’s campaign reached out to him to host. McIntyre, who supports O’Connor, said he is looking forward to working with O’Connor if he is elected.
“I think he’s gonna help us on the development end. That’s what we need,” McIntyre said.
McIntyre believed that some of Mayor Ed Gainey’s policies “killed development,” citing his inclusionary zoning policy. He has spoken with O’Connor about plans moving forward if he is elected.
Josh Imhof can be reached at imhofj@duq.edu
Kaitlyn Hughes can be reached at hughesk10@duq.edu
Charlotte Shields-Rossi can be reached at shieldsrossic@duq.edu
Eliyahu Gasson can be reached at gassone@duq.edu
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