PITTSBURGH, April 7, 2025 -- A new survey from AARP Pennsylvania reveals that Pittsburgh voters 50+ will be the deciding factor in determining the city's next leader.
According to the survey, Democratic challenger Corey O'Connor leads incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey, 58 percent to 24 percent, with 16 percent undecided. Tony Moreno leads with voters 50+ on the Republican side, with a 40 percent lead over challenger Thomas West.
Pittsburgh voters aged 50 and older constitute a significant voting bloc that candidates cannot afford to ignore. In the 2021 mayoral primary, voters over 50 made up 57 percent of all voters, and 60 percent of all in the general election.
The survey also found that a large majority of voters 50-plus are engaged and intend to participate in the upcoming primary election. Their priorities include economic stability, public safety, and access to essential services—issues that will shape their choice at the ballot box.
Among other issues Pittsburgh voters 50-plus are looking for the next mayor to address:
- 83 percent say the candidates' positions on access to quality health care will affect their vote
- 51 percent Pittsburgh's economy is getting weaker
- 80 percent support a change in city ordinances to make it easier for owners to create accessory dwelling units, a residential unit built on the same lot as an existing single-family home and can be attached or detached to the home.
"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," said Bill Johnston-Walsh, State Director of AARP Pennsylvania. "This demographic votes consistently and expects elected officials to prioritize their needs."
With the election approaching, these 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.
AARP commissioned American Directions Research Group to conduct a survey of 805 voters 50 and older living in Pittsburgh, PA from March 12 to March 19, 2025. The interviews were conducted by phone and online, with 650 live phone interviews (80.75%) and 155 (19.25%) from an opt-in panel sample list of registered voters age 50+ living in Pittsburgh. The data was weighted by age and gender to reflect registered voters in Pittsburgh age 50 or older, based on the population of registered voters 50+ from the sample source. The margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence level for the 805 citywide sample is ±3.4
View the full survey results at www.aarp.org/pittsburghmayorpoll2025
About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.
CONTACT: Randy LoBasso, rlobasso@aarp.org, 267-964-8001
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