O’Connor was sworn in on Monday at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, 20 years after his father was sworn in as Pittsburgh’s mayor. Governor Shapiro gave remarks at the ceremony.
On Monday afternoon, Corey O’Connor was sworn in as the 62nd mayor of Pittsburgh at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.
A reception on Monday evening followed, where Mr. O’Connor and his wife, Katie, are asking those in attendance to bring a toy donation for Toys for Tots.
Bob O’Connor, father of Corey O’Connor, was sworn in as Pittsburgh’s mayor 20 years ago. He tragically died of a rare form of brain cancer just eight months into his term as mayor.
Also on Monday, city council members were sworn in at the City-County Building in Downtown Pittsburgh.
“This is a special place. This is where the work of the people happens,” said O’Connor in an address to city council members.
“You have a difficult job. Each and every one of you have chosen to do this,” he said.
Governor Josh Shapiro attended O’Connor’s swearing in ceremony and gave remarks. “When Pittsburgh succeeds, our entire commonwealth does as well,” said the governor.
“Now the task falls to you Mr. Mayor-elect. To pick up the baton and move forward… today you begin to write the next chapter in this great city. I know it’s going to be a good one,” he added. “As you take this oath of office today, know that you have a city that’s cheering you on, that’s hopeful about our future and a commonwealth that’s rooting for your success. Know you will have a governor who will be your partner in progress. And know you’ve got parents, smiling down on you, knowing that the unfinished business they left behind has a skilled steward carrying it forward.”
O’Connor’s wife, Katie, and his children, Molly and Emmett, joined him at the ceremony. He promised to fight for Pittsburgh “each and every day.”
“It is my own family that motivated me to launch my campaign. I want everybody to choose to raise their families in Pittsburgh like Katie and I.”
In his inaugural address, O’Connor said, “My dad was both optimistic and passionate about the city’s potential and what we could all accomplish together. But he knew the first step was to clean it up. We need a city that works. Our infrastructure must be maintained and improved, pot holes filled, our parks cleaned.”
O’Connor spent a decade serving on City Council before being appointed as the Allegheny County Controller in 2022 by former Governor Tom Wolf. In 2023, he was elected to a full term as controller.
He plans to direct his focus towards development in the city and expanding opportunities for families in Pittsburgh, as well as improving public safety and increasing affordable housing options.
