Peduto Takes Win To Become Next Mayor Of Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) – In an unsurprising election, Bill Peduto will become the next mayor of Pittsburgh.
The democratic councilman lead by a wide margin of 85 percent.
A crowd of supporters cheered as Peduto took the stage armed with a broom at the Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum in Homewood.
"We are at a transformative time in this city's history," Peduto said during his victory speech. "And the way I see it, we've been through this before."
His opponents Republican Josh Wander and Independent Lester Ludwig trailed behind with 12 and 3 percent, respectively.
Peduto, who's finishing his 12th year on Pittsburgh City Council, won a three-way Democratic race in the May primary.
His Republican opponent, Josh Wander, sold his home in early September moved to Israel to work as a security consultant.
At what was supposed to have been the first mayoral debate of the fall campaign, Peduto was the only candidate to show up.
Peduto called this the end of an era and talked about building a new Pittsburgh, including rebuilding neighborhood and increasing population growth.
He says he has a plan to increase the city's population by 20,000 in the next ten years.
"We are the next great American city, there is no disclaimer anymore about being the great post-industrial city. We are the next great American city. And what that means is that's a new Pittsburgh and whatever we want to call it, we'll define it, because it hasn't even been defined yet, but we know what the ingredients are. It's about building from within."
Watch the extended version of his speech:
Peduto's headquarters were held at the Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum in Homewood because his grandmother was born and raise in there and because he says Homewood needs the most help of all city neighborhoods.
Peduto will succeed Luke Ravenstahl, a Democrat who is not seeking another term.
Stay with KDKA for more information.
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