2 weeks Ago By Julia Maruca
Incumbent Pittsburgh mayor Ed Gainey and challenger Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor discussed the future of Pittsburgh — and the debate over Israel — at a forum held by the city’s Jewish Federation on Wednesday evening. Gainey in particular faced tense questioning about how he had handled the public debate over the war in Gaza. Gainey was asked why he didn’t file lawsuits against ballot initiatives put forth by the pro-Palestinian group Not On Our Dime .
If passed by voters, the ballot questions — one last fall and another this spring — would have precluded the city from doing business with firms that had ties to Israel. Both initiatives were withdrawn when organizers acknowledged they didn’t have enough valid petition signatures to get on the ballot. But while the effort's legitimacy was challenged in court by Jewish groups and City Controller Rachael Heisler, Gainey stayed out of the fray.
On Wednesday, Gainey said his law department told him there was “no way” the ballot initiatives would succeed. He said he opposed them, which lines up with his previous statements , but city attorneys “didn't believe that it was enforceable, and they didn't believe ..
. they could get the signatures. “Had it got on, we would have had to deal with it, but my solicitor was correct: It never made it to the ballot,” he said.
“So what we did was say that we couldn't support it. We didn't support it. And at the end of day, it didn't get on the ballot.
” Gainey was also asked about his decision to join in a statement with Congresswoman Summer Lee and County Executive Sara Innamorato on last year's anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks. Some Jewish leaders, including the Jewish Federation itself , said the statement inappropriately equated the attacks with Israel's military response. Gainey said repeatedly that he had not meant to offend.
“My intent is not to be derogatory towards anybody. I know how that feels, and I know what it means to a great deal,” he said. “It's my belief that Israel has a right to exist for the security of Jewish people.
I believe that.” He was asked whether he would sign on to the statement again if given the opportunity to reconsider. “If the letter was presented to me again .
.. I would make sure that I talk to people that I feel I have a relationship with and discover exactly what's wrong with the wording, what is this letter saying that is wrong,” he said.
“When I realize I made a mistake, I'm also man enough to be able to come and apologize for what I've done, because that's the only thing I'm responsible for.” Gainey faced other questions related to Israel and his record, and when asked about responses to antisemitism in general, he detailed his past actions reaching out to Jewish community members and leaders after incidents. He said he would condemn any antisemitic incidents at university protests.
Gainey took a restrained approach to protests at the University of Pittsburgh last summer , which arguably involved less disruption than those in other cities. “The reality is there's gonna be protests,” Gainey said Wednesday. “If you go in and knock a protest out, then you get 500 more people, so now the city is less safe.
I don't want that type of climate here.” O’Connor faced a few questions in the same vein, in part for backing Lee’s congressional bid in the past. He was asked whether he’d do so again, given controversies over some of her own criticism of Israel.
In response, O’Connor emphasized the importance of partnering with federal lawmakers. “We are going to need our friends in the federal government in order to move this city forward,” he said. “We're gonna need federal resources.
I will say, just because you endorse somebody or they're the same party, you don't agree with all of their stances. “I don't agree with the Congressperson on a number of stances,” he added. “But it also doesn't mean that I can't have a working relationship with that individual.
” O’Connor said he would have challenged the divestment ballot questions if he was mayor, arguing they could have kneecapped the city’s ability to do business. He also pointed to his past growing up in Squirrel Hill as a sign that he knew the community. “You need a leader that's going to show up and actually stand up and fight,” he said.
“You don't need somebody that's just going to come around for holidays and special gatherings.” But for the most part, O’Connor faced softer questioning from the audience, including a query about his “favorite Democrat of all time.” He named his late father, former Mayor Bob O’Connor, as well as former Congressman Mike Doyle, for whom he worked.
An hour before the event, O’Connor also received the endorsement of Dan Frankel, a state representative who serves Squirrel Hill. “Corey believes in Pittsburgh and is committed to making it work for everyone” said Frankel..
