Ed Gainey announces $130K in fundraising as incumbent Peduto gains support from teachers union

Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Ed Gainey has raised more than $130,000 since January, his campaign announced Wednesday.

The money, which totals $134,286, , comes from 764 contributors from every ZIP code in the city. It was made public in advance of his filing with the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board, where the first report is required to be filed by March 16.

According to his campaign, Gainey had about $106,000 on hand after expenses.

Incumbent Mayor Bill Peduto hasn’t released fundraising information for the cycle, but he entered the year with more than $100,000 in his war chest, according to filings with the state.

Gainey, 51, of Lincoln Lemington, represents the 24th District in the state House.

In his run for mayor, Gainey touted his support from “working Pittsburghers from every corner of this city” who support his stances on affordable housing, police reform and making the city’s nonprofits like UPMC “pay their fair share,” he said in a statement.

“They’re ready for a mayor who will have their backs in that fight, and I’m confident that we have the energy and enthusiasm to win this race and transform this city,” Gainey said.

He announced an agenda last week that would resume the legal battle against UPMC to get the nonprofit health care giant to pay more to the city.

Peduto touted his endorsement from the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, announced Wednesday morning.

".@billpeduto supports the innovative goals and priorities of the PFT—and he has stood alongside us during our negotiations with the district; he has sought out ways to beneficially partner with us; and he has had an open door policy with the PFT—when we call, he answers." pic.twitter.com/i9Bi4H8YF6

— Peduto for Pittsburgh (@PeopleForPeduto) March 3, 2021

The teachers union announced its support of Peduto the same day the mayor and Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet thanked Gov. Tom Wolf for announcing that teachers would be prioritized in getting the coronavirus vaccine.

Gainey also lauded the decision.

“Teachers are essential, front-line workers who have continued to educate and nurture our children under extremely difficult circumstances for the past year,” Gainey said. “Making teachers eligible for vaccination is an important step that protects teachers, students and families as PPS moves toward resuming in-person instruction.”

A critical step in reopening our schools. Thank you Governor. https://t.co/Bai9hX7uDD

— bill peduto (@billpeduto) March 3, 2021

On Tuesday, Peduto also was endorsed by Steamfitters Local 449 and Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Local 12.

Steamfitters Business Manager Ken Broadbent cited Peduto’s leadership during the pandemic and the “sustained growth” in the city before last year.

“He grew the science, technology and education sectors; and has presided over new development in neighborhoods that haven’t seen investments in decades,” Broadbent said. “This is a better Pittsburgh than it was 10 years ago, and Mayor Peduto is the reason for it.”

Sheet Metal Local 12 business representative Kevin Malley said the union based its endorsement on Peduto’s “willingness to listen to both sides of the issue” and his ability to bring those with opposing views to a compromise.

“We have always appreciated Mayor Peduto’s dedication to labor, and we look forward to working with him in the future,” Malley said.

The latest union endorsements come ahead of those of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, which is set to announce its slate of supported candidates on Sunday.

Peduto isn’t seeking the committee’s endorsement, but Gainey and former Pittsburgh police officer Tony Moreno, 51, of Brighton Heights are. North Side businessman Will Parker, 41, is also running as a Democrat, but didn’t seek the committee’s endorsement.

Moreno faced criticism within the party for old social media posts that seemingly support former President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Moreno explained those posts as “bombastic” attempts to stoke political fires.

“Ridiculous rhetoric behind the keyboard does not get anything done. I realized what I was doing was not the way to do things and I stopped it,” Moreno said.

On Saturday, Gainey’s campaign manager Moses Nelson and a Democratic activist, Kierran Young, 28, of Stanton Heights, publicly argued and nearly came to blows at a petition drive outside the Steamfitters union hall in Duquesne Heights.

Nelson apologized for what happened so “we can move forward on the issues that matter most to our city,” he said.

If the Moreno is endorsed, Kevin Quigley, the leader of the city’s Democrats, said he’ll ask for a meeting to sort out Moreno’s views to ensure they are in line with the party.