Pittsburgh, PA

(courtesy of kdka.com)

I just want to start out by saying that I’m not even going to attempt to write this post in an objective manner; this blog is meant to contain information with a personal slant and a subjective voice, so please keep this in mind, especially after I say: HAHAHAHA!

Luke Ravenstahl (D): 43,257 votes, 63%
Mark DeSantis (R): 23,884 votes, 35%

Sure Democrats outnumber Republicans 5-1, but if people really wanted to elect DeSantis mayor, they would have. Contrary to popular belief, not all of Pittsburghers are zombies, in fact if anything, this election more than most in the past, have woken up some due to the controversial age of the current mayor, as well as the hoopla surrounding a Republican trying to gain so much popularity in such a little amount of time. Not to mention, their previous favorite just up and died, so more than usual attention was paid to the mayoral slot.

So before I get into what other people think, I’m going to say that I knew he was going to win in the beginning. No one wants a businessman to run this city, no matter what our budget problems may be; not enough people trust them. There’s a certain inhumane stigma associated with this creature, that despite not always being accurate, is there nonetheless. My opinion on DeSantis’s outcome in this race, was cinched when he showed up to my school for the debates. He looked like a scared chicken, too afraid to smile or really warm up to any of the students or faculty. Whether this was due to nerves or not, you better fake it if you want to convince people you’re the down to earth candidate they want in this city. Remember, it may be a city, but it’s a small one.

Also, despite Luke’s mistakes in the past, what better way to say to the country that young people should stay here, then to have a young mayor. It’s a great step in the right direction for the kind of image we need to portray here. I mean for gods sakes, he’s been all over national television and written about in national media. Isn’t that proof enough that Pittsburgh has really turned over a new leaf and is trying to get rid of its old ways, because of the attention being paid to us? The attention is not merely due to his age! I’m not sure how many of you know the previously negative image that Pittsburgh used to send off, but if you’ve ever lived out of state, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

I especially liked what Luke said upon winning last night, which was something to the effect that Pittsburghers need to start believing in themselves and this great city. It’s time to start acting like the city we are. Hear ye, to that one! We’re making major advances in this city and it’s time to start celebrating these achievements and striving for more. This really isn’t the Pittsburgh of the past, thank goodness.

Luke has a lot of mistakes he needs to fix, but hey he’s human and new to this position. He now has two years to redeem his past mistakes and to continue on with his current policy, so it would serve everyone better to focus on his future actions, rather than the past so we can all make this a better city.

And for all those in the camp of saying the old people ruined the election for DeSantis, especially the ones that posted on the website, Democrats for DeSantis, I want to quote Chris Potter from the City Paper:

I do have one piece of advice for disappointed DeSantis supporters in the blogosphere and elsewhere: If you want to lead a city, it might be wise not to dismiss its residents as a bunch of decrepit yinzer morons.

And lastly, WTAE just showed a clip of last night with DeSantis saying:

“The people have spoken; they want change.” Well then, Mr. DeSantis, if you were the obvious change, why didn’t you win?!

Let the excuses roll in, like I’m sure they will.

In the meantime, I hope you are all able to make it out to the South Side tonight to raise money for the lighting up of East Carson businesses, as well as helping out the South Side Food Pantry and the Salvation Army with food donations.

See Mosley’s post for more details here.

Pittsburgh, mayoral race, Luke Ravenstahl, Mark DeSantis, politics, democrat, republican