From grudges to grit: Why I’m backing Corey O’Connor for mayor

Corey O’Connor and I had a rough start.

When I supported Tom Murphy over Bob O’Connor — Corey’s dad — in the 2001 Democratic primary for mayor, teenage Corey made it abundantly clear how he felt about that. I remember him standing in the back of a political event, arms crossed, a scowl on his face and not the slightest interest in small talk. I admired his loyalty, even as I stood on the receiving end of it.

But time has a way of unfolding things. Bob O’Connor did eventually become mayor, and in the short time he was able to serve before he got very ill, he and I developed an extremely productive relationship. We shared a vision for a Pittsburgh that takes care of its people, and we worked together to deliver for our neighbors — setting aside old rivalries for the good of the city.

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That’s one of the many ways Corey is like his dad: He’s not a grudge holder. He’s a relationship builder. A listener. A public servant who knows that doing right by Pittsburgh means showing up with humility, empathy and an open door.

There’s no shortage of political legacies that produce underqualified, entitled heirs, but Corey O’Connor shows what it looks like when what is passed down is a heartfelt belief in service. Growing up in a household where dinner table conversations were about neighborhood problems and real solutions didn’t inflate his ego — it deepened his sense of purpose.

He was also the product of an interfaith marriage, raised in Jewish Squirrel Hill while attending Catholic school. He grew up celebrating family events in both synagogues and churches, gaining a deep appreciation for different faiths, cultures and traditions. That upbringing gave Corey a natural sense of how to bridge divides and a commitment to standing against hate and intolerance.

This is a scary time in America for Jewish communities like Squirrel Hill. In the last year and a half, we’ve been subjected to a shocking new wave of antisemitism in the form of vandalism, harassment and abuse. A twice-failed referendum effort stoked divisions and sought to punish local Jewish organizations for the war in Gaza.

Corey spoke up, early and often.

The Jewish community in Pittsburgh — like any marginalized group — deserves leaders who show up and stand up for them.

For a decade, Corey and I represented many of the same residents in Squirrel Hill, Hazelwood and Greenfield — him on the City Council, me in the state House. When folks called him for help, I watched Corey show up, listen and roll up his sleeves to solve problems.

It’s well known that Corey and I worked closely after the attack on the congregations in the Tree of Life building to develop legislation at the city and state levels to prevent gun violence. But the truth is, our collaboration didn’t begin or end there.

In council chambers, Corey fought for and won crucial funding for housing and small business support during the pandemic and paid sick days for employees within our city, but he didn’t just fight for those values from the dais — he fought for them on doorsteps. In living rooms. At community meetings. His convictions show up not just in his votes, but in his day-to-day commitment to serving people.

Progressive policies are crucial to supporting our residents and growing our city. But laws and ordinances aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on if folks don’t feel safe or protected or they can’t access the housing or services they need.

That’s why I’m proud to support Corey O’Connor to be our next mayor.

Pittsburgh is a city full of promise, but we need leadership that turns that promise into reality. Corey brings the experience, the values and the work ethic to get it done.

Some endorsements come from a place of political convenience. Mine comes from experience — from watching a kid with a grudge grow into a public servant with grit and grace.

We may have had a rough start. But I believe Corey O’Connor is exactly the leader Pittsburgh needs for a strong, unified city that works for everybody. PJC

Rep. Dan Frankel represents Pennsylvania’s 23rd District in the state House of Representatives.