Older Pittsburgh Voters to Play Decisive Role in 2025 Mayoral Election
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PITTSBURGH, April 7, 2025 ~ A recent survey conducted by AARP Pennsylvania has revealed that voters aged 50 and above will play a crucial role in determining the next leader of Pittsburgh. The survey, which was conducted from March 12 to March 19, 2025, by American Directions Research Group, found that this demographic makes up a significant voting bloc that cannot be ignored by candidates.

According to the survey, Democratic challenger Corey O'Connor is currently leading incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey with 58 percent of the vote compared to Gainey's 24 percent. On the Republican side, Tony Moreno is leading with a 40 percent lead over challenger Thomas West among voters aged 50 and above.

The survey also highlighted the fact that in the 2021 mayoral primary, voters over 50 made up a staggering 57 percent of all voters. This trend continued in the general election, with this demographic making up 60 percent of all voters.

One of the key findings of the survey was that a large majority of voters aged 50 and above are highly engaged and intend to participate in the upcoming primary election. Their top priorities include economic stability, public safety, and access to essential services – issues that will heavily influence their decision at the ballot box.

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In addition to these concerns, Pittsburgh voters aged 50 and above are also looking for the next mayor to address other pressing issues such as access to quality healthcare. In fact, a whopping 83 percent of respondents stated that candidates' positions on this issue will affect their vote. Furthermore, more than half (51 percent) believe that Pittsburgh's economy is getting weaker.

Another important issue for this demographic is affordable housing options. The survey found that an overwhelming majority (80 percent) support a change in city ordinances to make it easier for owners to create accessory dwelling units – residential units built on the same lot as an existing single-family home.

Bill Johnston-Walsh, State Director of AARP Pennsylvania, emphasized the importance of addressing the concerns of Pittsburgh's older residents in the mayoral race. "Candidates running for mayor must address the concerns of Pittsburgh's older residents, like economic stability, affordable housing options, and access to essential services, if they hope to secure victory," he said. "This demographic votes consistently and expects elected officials to prioritize their needs."

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With the election approaching, these survey results suggest that candidates who focus on policies that support older residents – such as affordable housing, transportation, and healthcare access – will be more likely to gain their support.

The survey was conducted among 805 voters aged 50 and above living in Pittsburgh. Out of these, 650 interviews were conducted by phone (80.75%) while 155 were conducted online (19.25%). The data was weighted by age and gender to reflect registered voters in Pittsburgh aged 50 or older. The margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence level for the citywide sample is ±3.4.

To view the full survey results, visit www.aarp.org/pittsburghmayorpoll2025. As the election draws near, it will be interesting to see how candidates address the concerns of this crucial voting bloc and how it will ultimately impact the outcome of the mayoral race in Pittsburgh.
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