Ravenstahl Wins Primary, Calls Dowd Campaign 'Insulting'
Posted: 8:00 am EDT May 19, 2009Updated: 1:14 pm EDT May 20, 2009
PITTSBURGH -- Mayor Luke Ravenstahl enjoyed a decisive victory Tuesday over his two opponents in the Democratic primary, paving the way for him to win his first full term in the office he's held for nearly three years.With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Ravenstahl had 59 percent of the vote, or 26,848 votes. City Councilman Patrick Dowd followed with 28 percent, or 12,592 votes, and ex-police Officer Carmen Robinson had 13 percent, or 5,916 votes. The Republican ticket was empty.During his victory speech, Ravenstahl thanked Robinson but did not mention Dowd."Well, I think Patrick clearly crossed the line and at one point in this campaign, it was personally insulting to me in many ways, and I would hope that he would apologize, and I asked for him to do so many times," said Ravenstahl. "However, he continued to get more negative."
RESULTS: Click Here For May Primary Results
VIDEO: Ravenstahl Speaks After Big Win
VIDEO: Dowd Concedes
VIDEO: Robinson Concedes
And in a city that hasn't elected a Republican mayor since the Great Depression, and where Democrats hold a 5-1 ratio advantage in registered voters, Ravenstahl could coast easily to victory in the November general election.But this year, Ravenstahl will have some competition from two independent candidates, Franco "Dok" Harris, son of Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris, and community activist Kevin Acklin.Ravenstahl said he had hoped to win 50 percent of the vote and was pleasantly surprised at what he called an "overwhelming victory." Now, he'll focus on the November ballot."We'll focus on what we've done and where we want to take this city," Ravenstahl said.As City Council president, Ravenstahl first entered the mayor's office in September 2006 at the age of 26, replacing Bob O'Connor, who died just eight months into office of a rare brain cancer.Ravenstahl immediately stole the national spotlight, landing himself a seat next to David Letterman on "The Late Show" as the youngest mayor of a major city.Since then, Ravenstahl has generated a bit of controversy and been dragged through the local media for running what they called an administration that lacks transparency.Still, Pittsburgh is kind to incumbents. Ravenstahl easily won a November 2007 special election that allowed him to complete his predecessor's term.Dowd said he got into the race 90 days ago knowing it was a long shot but felt "it was important for the people of Pittsburgh to have a choice."By raising the issues of job growth, debt and ethics in the campaign, Dowd said "the mayor now has to live up to that and make sure that he delivers" on the promises he made.Robinson said she will run again in four years. In the meantime, she promised not to give Ravenstahl an easy ride."We're going to have much more debate," she said, vowing to make sure Ravenstahl takes care of her neighborhood, the Hill District, one of Pittsburgh's most distressed areas.
RESULTS: Click Here For May Primary Results
VIDEO: Ravenstahl Speaks After Big Win
VIDEO: Dowd Concedes
VIDEO: Robinson Concedes
And in a city that hasn't elected a Republican mayor since the Great Depression, and where Democrats hold a 5-1 ratio advantage in registered voters, Ravenstahl could coast easily to victory in the November general election.But this year, Ravenstahl will have some competition from two independent candidates, Franco "Dok" Harris, son of Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris, and community activist Kevin Acklin.Ravenstahl said he had hoped to win 50 percent of the vote and was pleasantly surprised at what he called an "overwhelming victory." Now, he'll focus on the November ballot."We'll focus on what we've done and where we want to take this city," Ravenstahl said.As City Council president, Ravenstahl first entered the mayor's office in September 2006 at the age of 26, replacing Bob O'Connor, who died just eight months into office of a rare brain cancer.Ravenstahl immediately stole the national spotlight, landing himself a seat next to David Letterman on "The Late Show" as the youngest mayor of a major city.Since then, Ravenstahl has generated a bit of controversy and been dragged through the local media for running what they called an administration that lacks transparency.Still, Pittsburgh is kind to incumbents. Ravenstahl easily won a November 2007 special election that allowed him to complete his predecessor's term.Dowd said he got into the race 90 days ago knowing it was a long shot but felt "it was important for the people of Pittsburgh to have a choice."By raising the issues of job growth, debt and ethics in the campaign, Dowd said "the mayor now has to live up to that and make sure that he delivers" on the promises he made.Robinson said she will run again in four years. In the meantime, she promised not to give Ravenstahl an easy ride."We're going to have much more debate," she said, vowing to make sure Ravenstahl takes care of her neighborhood, the Hill District, one of Pittsburgh's most distressed areas.
Copyright 2009 by WPXI.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.















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