Ed Gainey
Edward C. Gainey (born February 19, 1970) is an American politician who is the 61st mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Previously, he served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 24th district.[1] In November 2021, Gainey became the first African-American to become the mayor of Pittsburgh and assumed office on January 3, 2022.[2]
For the Canadian football player, see Ed Gainey (Canadian football).
Ed Gainey
Early life and education[edit]
Gainey was born and raised in Pittsburgh by a single teenage mom with the help of her mother.[3][4] When he was very young, the family moved from the Hill District neighborhood to Lawn Street in the South Oakland neighborhood, where they were the second black family to live on the street. When he was seven, the family moved to the East Liberty neighborhood. There he attended Peabody High School, where he played basketball, graduating in 1988.[3][4] After high school, Gainey attended Norfolk State University for a semester before returning home to Pittsburgh, where he would transfer to the Community College of Allegheny County.[5] After completing community college, Gainey attended Morgan State University.[5] In 1994, Gainey graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in business management.[5]
Personal life[edit]
Gainey lives in the Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood of Pittsburgh with his wife, Michelle, and their three children.[23]
On January 22, 2016, Gainey's younger sister, Janese Talton-Jackson, was shot dead in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood by a man who followed her out of a bar.[24]
Public safety[edit]
Gainey has pledged to make Pittsburgh the safest city in the U.S. Pittsburgh has seen a decline in homicides thanks to major crime units.[25] Gainey has worked closely with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to hire more officers and reform training,[26] and to standardize two new courses in Police Academy education.[27] Mayor Gainey appointed a new Police Chief, Larry Scirotto, and he was formally sworn in as Police Chief in June 2023, after passing unanimously through the city council.[28] Incumbent District Attorney (DA) of Allegheny County, Stephen Zappala, argues that the Office of Mayor Gainey has failed to properly enforce police practice. Incumbent DA Zappala threatened to take the matter to federal court.[29]