There’s a general election race for mayor of Pittsburgh in name only, and that’s not good for the city. A viable second party option would make more Pittsburghers feel represented by the political process and increase turnout, while introducing new ideas to the city’s political conversation and challenging a long-standing consensus.

On Nov. 4, city voters will choose between Democrat Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor and Republican retired police officer Tony Moreno. While Mr. Moreno scored an impressive (by city Republican standards) 28% of the vote against then-state Rep. Ed Gainey in 2021, it is unlikely he will repeat that performance this year: Both the city and Allegheny County GOP committees have cut ties with his campaign.

The recent history of Republican mayoral candida

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