Expert Reviews Mayoral Debate
PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - The candidates for the mayor of Pittsburgh had a debate Wednesday night and Doug Saltzman talked to Robert Mangino about it.
Saltzman attended the debate held at the University of Pittsburgh. Saltzman is a former staffer for Sen. Arlen Spector. Former State Auditor General Jack Wagner, City Councilman Bill Peduto, State Rep. Jake Wheatley, and community activist A.J. Richardson attended the debate.
Richardson, who had been arrested a day earlier for DUI made a statement that he was sorry for what he had done and admitted he did it. Saltzman said Richardson got most of the attention from the media. He said his behavior was inexcusable, a complete 180 from his stance earlier in the day when he said he wasn't drunk.
Saltzman told Mangino that Richardson's arrest won't have much of an impact on the race.
"He was really a fringe candidate," Saltzman saud. He also added that he didn't avoid the media and was emotional.
Saltzman said he thinks that the issues will be the main story and not the arrest of Richardson. The debate lasted about an hour and a half and the questions were simple. The first question of the debate was if UPMC should pay taxes.
Wagner, Peduto and Wheatley agreed that UPMC should pay some sort of tax or fee. Other questions included making Pittsburgh more bike friendly and the court case that allows the candidates to raise as much money for their campaigns as they can. A few questions were asked about police diversity and police morale.
Saltzman said that Wheatley did very well and he, "knows the issues," and that all three candidates that stayed for the debate didn't make any mistakes. He also said that there were no big surprises.
Saltzman added that most of the support in the crowd from students was for Peduto. The Democratic Primary is May 21.
Listen to Mangino every weeknight from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.
