Mayoral Race Wide Open With Ravenstahl Out

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – With Mayor Luke Ravenstahl no longer a candidate, the 2013 mayoral race is wide open.

Mayor Ravenstahl's exit from the mayoral race leaves just two announced candidates, City Controller Michael Lamb and City Councilman Bill Peduto. Although, it's not too late for others to run.

KDKA's Jon Delano: "Do you think other candidates are likely to get into this?"

Lamb: "You know, I don't know. I think that you hear a lot of names, and I certainly encourage anybody to run."

KDKA's Jon Delano Reports:

"I think there will be other people in the race," Peduto added. "I anticipate a few other people will look at it very differently without an incumbent."

Nobody is confirming they're running, but among the early possibilities are David Caliguiri, the son of the late mayor, State Sen. Jim Ferlo, Council President Darlene Harris, and former Auditor General Jack Wagner.

"It doesn't matter who is in the race, we have a campaign that will win the race, and it will be neighborhood by neighborhood," said Peduto.

KDKA Radio's Bill Rehkopf Interviews Bill Peduto:

"For me and our process, it's pretty much the same," added Lamb. "We opened this campaign on a message of expecting more from your local government and that's going to continue."

KDKA Radio's Bill Rehkopf Interviews Michael Lamb:

But in response to Delano's question, Ravenstahl may have a candidate of his own.

Delano: "Are you encouraging others to get into this race or to look at this?"

Ravenstahl: "Yes."

Delano: "Do you have a specific candidate in mind, Mayor?"

Ravenstahl: "Yes."

Delano: "Obviously that candidate has not yet announced?"

Ravenstahl: "Correct."

Delano: "Would you like to share with us the name of that candidate?"

Ravenstahl: "No."

KDKA's Jon Delano Reports:

Sources tell KDKA's Jon Delano that this candidate could be Ravenstahl's fellow North Sider, former Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato.

But there's no direct confirmation from the mayor that Onorato is his choice, or that Onorato has any interest in leaving his current position with Highmark.

But there are plenty of people in City Hall who are talking about it and think he'd become the front-runner if he enters the race.

KDKA Radio's Mike Pintek Interviews Bill Peduto:

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