Former city Councilman Bob O'Connor has resigned his post as the governor's representative for Southwestern Pennsylvania, clearing the way for him to run for Mayor of Pittsburgh. O'Connor acknowledged that his departure from the state post was a prelude to next year's mayor's race, although he insisted that he had yet to make a final decision on whether to run. (He's lying already!) O'Connor, who lost to Mayor Tom Murphy in each of the past two primaries for the Democratic nomination for mayor seems to think the people would want him now.
Murphy's margin of victory in their rematch four years ago was a scant 699 votes, less than 1 percent of the total cast. O'Connor's move comes as City Council and the Murphy administration are wrestling with a state proposal that would give the city new taxing authority. As a member of the Rendell administration, O'Connor, like the governor, supported the plan, but he refused yesterday to be drawn into a discussion of that or any other issue likely to arise in the race.
The biggest question hanging over the Democratic maneuvering is whether Murphy will seek to hold onto his office. The mayor said that he has not made up his mind on a re-election bid. I lived in the city for a few years so I can speak first hand on this. Pittsburgh is a great city that is severely mismanaged in many ways. From union contracts, to corruption to high taxes it is the people who live there who shoulder the burden. Money the city did not have has been spent on things we did not need. I no longer live in the city so it is not up to me, but I suggest Murphy and O'Conner go open an Irish pub and the people elect someone who will solve the problems and not just change a name plate on the door.
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