Charlie Wolfson

Pittsburgh

Local Government Reporter at PublicSource

Pittsburgh & Allegheny County government reporter, @PublicSourcePA

Articles

Pittsburgh leaders try to coordinate response to Trump budget cuts, seeing 'long haul' challenges

2 days ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officials announced a new task force to organize local government’s response to what they characterized as cruel and irresponsible federal budget cuts ordered by President Donald Trump since his January inauguration.
See what Allegheny County employees earned in 2024 — and how the county is hiding names of many top earners

4 days ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Allegheny County government had a new highest-paid employee last year. Ariel Goldschmidt, the county’s chief medical examiner, took home $275,703 in 2024, according to salary data published by the county. Goldschmidt took over the top spot in April and earns an annual salary of $290,000 in the role, which is appointed by the county executive. The identity of the county’s third-highest gross earner (factoring in overtime pay), and those of more than half of the top 40 gross earners, are a mystery.
How O'Connor defeated Gainey for Pittsburgh mayor

2 weeks ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey received more votes and a bigger share of the vote in Tuesday’s Democratic primary than he did in his triumphant 2021 run. But it wasn’t enough. With just one opponent this year compared to the prior four-man field, Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor consolidated enough of the opposition to come out ahead, 52% to 47%.
O’Connor wins Pittsburgh’s Democratic mayoral primary

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Charlie Wolfson

Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor speaks following his victory in the Democratic mayoral primary, on May 20, 2025. (Quinn Glabicki/PublicSource)This story was originally published by PublicSource. Corey O’Connor, a longtime city and county elected official, East End resident and the son of Pittsburgh’s 58th mayor, has the inside track to be the city’s 62nd mayor after winning the Democratic primary Tuesday.
AP calls Pittsburgh's Democratic mayoral primary

2 weeks ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Corey O’Connor, a longtime city and county elected official, East End resident and the son of Pittsburgh’s 58th mayor, has the inside track to be the city’s 62nd mayor after winning the Democratic primary Tuesday. The Associated Press called the race at 10:05 p.m. on Tuesday evening, with O’Connor more than 4,000 votes ahead and 80% of the votes counted.
Live election results: Pittsburgh mayoral primaries

2 weeks ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

This page will refresh automatically with live election returns from the Associated Press, along with the AP’s race calls for the Pittsburgh mayoral primaries. Winners of primaries for Pittsburgh City Council, school board, County Council and Court of Common Pleas will be published below. Polls close in Pennsylvania at 8 p.m. Navigate using the buttons below. There are primaries for seven County Council seats. Three are contested.
How to vote in Pittsburgh's mayoral election

2 weeks ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Pittsburgh Democrats will choose their nominee for mayor in today’s primary, potentially determining whether Ed Gainey serves a second term or if County Controller Corey O’Connor can boot him out of City Hall. The Republican mayoral primary features multiple candidates for the first time since 2001: Retired police detective Tony Moreno and clothing store owner Thomas West.
Untraceable money boosts Gainey and O’Connor campaigns

3 weeks ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Both the Democratic contenders for mayor of Pittsburgh are benefitting from third-party groups buying ads and paying for canvassers, a source of support unbound by restrictive campaign donation limits, new records show. Incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor have each benefited from more than $600,000 in spending from independent groups supporting their candidacies.
Trump budget threatens funding for Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

1 month ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County could lose out on $25 million annually under President Donald Trump’s proposal to slash a 50-year-old grant program, part of a White House plan to cut domestic spending by more than 20% while increasing defense spending.
Pittsburgh mayoral candidates debate budgets, housing, police

1 month ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Pittsburgh’s two Democratic candidates for mayor showed little ideological difference during a debate Downtown Tuesday night, both embracing platforms of securing the city’s finances, creating more affordable housing, promoting clean air and water and stabilizing the city’s police force. The debate at the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University featured few back-and-forth disputes and none of the animosity that characterized some encounters during this campaign season.