Black lawmakers have made history across the country this week. In Washington, D.C., Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first Black Vice President of the United States of America. Shortly thereafter, Raphael Warnock was sworn in as the first Black Senator to represent the state of Georgia. Following Warnock and Harris, Pennsylvania State Representative Ed Gainey has announced that he will run to become the next mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If elected, he would become the first Black mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Gainey is a well-known figure within the state of Pennsylvania. For seven years, Gainey has represented the 24th Pennsylvania House District. He has positioned himself as a progressive lawmaker focusing his attention on criminal justice reform, public transit transformation and marijuana policy. He believes he can bring his forward-thinking mindset to city hall in Pittsburgh.
“I'm running for Mayor because I know that the working people of Pittsburgh need opportunities for good union jobs with a living wage and benefits, affordable housing, genuine public safety, and a city where we can all belong and contribute," Gainey said.
"We can uplift the City of Pittsburgh for everyone if we start with those who have been left behind."
Gainey is not only a state representative, but he is also a native of Pittsburgh. Growing up in the city's East Liberty neighborhood, he attended Peabody High School. After graduating from Peabody High School, he attended Morgan State University where he studied business management. Today, he lives with his wife and three kids in the Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood of the city. Having grown up and raised kids within the city of Pittsburgh, he believes he can bridge the racial, economic and political divides that exist within his hometown.
“I understand that city government has the power to change lives, uplift communities, and fix what’s broken in our city. Our city is divided, but when we all lay our heads down at night, I believe we all share the same vision for our families, our children, and our neighborhoods," he said.
"To fulfill our vision for a better tomorrow, Pittsburgh deserves a mayor who will fight with all they’ve got to see the vision through. I’m ready for that fight, and as the next Mayor of the city of Pittsburgh, I’ll be a Mayor for all of us."
Gainey will officially kick off his campaign with a virtual event on January 23 at 2 p.m. Throughout his campaign, he will go toe-to-toe with incumbent Bill Peduto. Voters will decide between they take to the polls on November 2.
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