PITTSBURGH — Ed Gainey, the state lawmaker who pitched transformative change for a city that's experiencing the ripple effects of a 21st-century economy, was officially sworn in Monday as Pittsburgh's first Black mayor.
Mr. Gainey takes the reins of a city that was once famously deemed America's most livable, but where many residents — particularly in communities of color — face numerous systemic inequities and, according to the new mayor, feel left behind.
In the chambers of Pittsburgh's City Council, Mr. Gainey took the oath of office around 1:50 p.m., administered by Allegheny County Common Pleas President Judge Kim Berkeley-Clark.
At the start of his inaugural address, the 51-year-old state lawmaker thanked God and thanked the people of Pittsburgh for putting their faith in him.
"Without this city, I would not be who I am today and I want you to know that I will never take your support or vote for granted," Mr. Gainey said in his speech, which was made available prior to the event. "I understand that your trust and your confidence is not permanent, but something that must be earned and protected every single day."
Mr. Gainey's remarks were made during a virtual inauguration program, pushed online as a consequence of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Family and some supporters were gathered in the chambers while Mr. Gainey spoke. His speech and swearing in were livestreamed.
During his speech, Mr. Gainey thanked his wife, Michelle, who moments earlier was at her husband's side for his swearing in.
"They say behind every great man is a great woman, but for me, the greatest woman I could have ever been given stands beside me every single day," he said, also thanking his daughters Mariah and Alexa and son Darius.
With a nod to the council members, who had their own swearing-in ceremony just hours earlier, Mr. Gainey said: "Thanks for taking me to your districts. Telling me about projects you value. And how to work together to bring out best.
He also thanked the voters. "I promise I will make you proud," he said.
Like he did during his campaign, Mr. Gainey reiterated his promise to be a change-agent for the city.
"We have a choice in every moment if we just look around us," Mr. Gainey said. "We have a choice to accept things as they are or to take responsibility for changing them."
He said real power is not to change the world but to "make a world of change in the people that we encounter every single day."
That belief, he said, will guide him in office.
"My promise to you is that we will work to make Pittsburgh the one you voted for — a "city where economic opportunity is abundant for everyone, a city where affordability isn't a luxury, and a city that is prepared to lead into the future.
"From today forward, our city's leadership will be a direct reflection of the people we serve."
To get to that point, Mr. Gainey said there is still much work to be done. He called his election a moment of "immense optimism" but said changes need to be made if Pittsburgh will have continued success.
"Success does and will continue to live here and thrive here in our city of Pittsburgh, but not at the expense of those who have been left behind for far too long," he said. Let me be clear: we will be bold. We will aim high. And we will work tirelessly 'til we get there."
He promised that his administration will be "progressive, principled and always on the side of the people."
During the program, which included singing performances and poetry, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf also made some brief remarks.
"I think as many of you know, I've known Ed for many years. He's a longtime distinguished member of the state House of Representatives. I know him as a very strong leader who has time and time again demonstrated his strength of character and his determination to lift up people in his community."
Mr. Wolf said that Mr. Gainey, as mayor, will "put the people of Pittsburgh first," adding that he has "laid out great and ambitious plans for Pittsburgh, plans to strengthen Pittsburgh's economy, raise wages, and to expand affordable housing."
All of these things mean that "Mayor Gainey's focus on improving opportunity for everybody is going to put Pittsburgh and the people who call it home on a path to even greater things," Mr. Wolf said.
