William Mark "Bill" Peduto[5] (born October 30, 1964) is an American
politician who served as the 60th Mayor of Pittsburgh. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a member of the Pittsburgh City Council from 2002 until 2014.
Prior to being elected to City Council, Peduto attended Pennsylvania State University, from which he dropped out before later completing his degree. He ran a consulting business and later served as Chief of Staff to his predecessor in City Council, Dan Cohen. Peduto was elected to City Council in 2001 and served from 2002 until 2014. During that time, he ran for Mayor of Pittsburgh three times. In 2005, he ran in the Democratic primary but was defeated by Bob O'Connor, who went on to become mayor in 2006. Peduto again ran in a 2007 special election following O'Connor's death; however, he dropped out before the primary. He ran for mayor for a third time in 2013, this time winning the Democratic nomination and emerging victorious.
In the 2013 election, Peduto defeated opponents Joshua Wander and Lester Ludwig, winning 84% of the vote. After being elected Mayor to succeed the outgoing Luke Ravenstahl, Peduto was inaugurated in January 2014.
In December 2012, Peduto officially launched his third mayoral campaign, announcing that he would challenge Luke Ravenstahl in the 2013 mayoral primary, and was immediately endorsed by Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. He simultaneously announced that he would not seek re-election to a fourth term on City Council. Ravenstahl announced in March 2013 that he would not seek another term as Mayor. Several other candidates launched campaigns but after Ravenstahl's exit, the race evolved into a two-way race between Peduto and former Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner. In the May 21 primary, Peduto defeated his opponents, receiving 52% of the vote. Wagner, his closest challenger, received 40%.
In November 2013, Peduto defeated Republican candidate Joshua Wander, who was residing in Israel at the time of the election, and independent candidate Lester Ludwig to be elected as the city's 60th mayor, receiving 84% of the vote. He was inaugurated on January 6, 2014. However, Pittsburgh is heavily Democratic, and Peduto effectively assured himself of becoming mayor with his primary win.
Peduto is an advocate for ride-sharing in Pittsburgh. After the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission issued cease-and-desist orders in July 2014, Peduto called on the state legislature to allow ride-sharing operators to legally operate in Pittsburgh. Subsequently, ride-sharing service Lyft acquired temporary approval for operation in August 2014 pending a hearing regarding a permanent license.
In July 2014, Peduto and the City of Pittsburgh dropped a lawsuit that his predecessor, Luke Ravenstahl, had launched against UPMC, challenging its tax-exempt status. Peduto indicated his belief that the lawsuit impeded progress in ongoing negotiations between UPMC and the city regarding the payment of taxes.
Bill Peduto was born on October 30, 1964, and graduated from Chartiers Valley High School in 1983. After one year at Carnegie Mellon University, Peduto transferred to Pennsylvania State University, pursuing a degree in political science. He dropped out, however, before completing the degree requirements. In 2007, Peduto returned to finish his degree requirements and became the only member of the nine-member Pittsburgh City Council at the time to have a bachelor's degree. Later, he received a master's degree in public policy and management from the University of Pittsburgh.
Peduto operated a political consulting business and served as general consultant, campaign manager, finance director and other roles for several Democratic candidates and elected officials. At 28, he served as a political director for then-acting Governor Mark Singel. He also worked in Washington, D.C. as an intern to then-U.S. Representative George Gekas.
Prior to being elected to City Council, Peduto attended Pennsylvania State University, from which he dropped out before later completing his degree. He ran a consulting business and later served as Chief of Staff to his predecessor in City Council, Dan Cohen. Peduto was elected to City Council in 2001 and served from 2002 until 2014. During that time, he ran for Mayor of Pittsburgh three times. In 2005, he ran in the Democratic primary but was defeated by Bob O'Connor, who went on to become mayor in 2006. Peduto again ran in a 2007 special election following O'Connor's death; however, he dropped out before the primary. He ran for mayor for a third time in 2013, this time winning the Democratic nomination and emerging victorious.
In the 2013 election, Peduto defeated opponents Joshua Wander and Lester Ludwig, winning 84% of the vote. After being elected Mayor to succeed the outgoing Luke Ravenstahl, Peduto was inaugurated in January 2014.
In December 2012, Peduto officially launched his third mayoral campaign, announcing that he would challenge Luke Ravenstahl in the 2013 mayoral primary, and was immediately endorsed by Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. He simultaneously announced that he would not seek re-election to a fourth term on City Council. Ravenstahl announced in March 2013 that he would not seek another term as Mayor. Several other candidates launched campaigns but after Ravenstahl's exit, the race evolved into a two-way race between Peduto and former Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner. In the May 21 primary, Peduto defeated his opponents, receiving 52% of the vote. Wagner, his closest challenger, received 40%.
In November 2013, Peduto defeated Republican candidate Joshua Wander, who was residing in Israel at the time of the election, and independent candidate Lester Ludwig to be elected as the city's 60th mayor, receiving 84% of the vote. He was inaugurated on January 6, 2014. However, Pittsburgh is heavily Democratic, and Peduto effectively assured himself of becoming mayor with his primary win.
Peduto is an advocate for ride-sharing in Pittsburgh. After the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission issued cease-and-desist orders in July 2014, Peduto called on the state legislature to allow ride-sharing operators to legally operate in Pittsburgh. Subsequently, ride-sharing service Lyft acquired temporary approval for operation in August 2014 pending a hearing regarding a permanent license.
In July 2014, Peduto and the City of Pittsburgh dropped a lawsuit that his predecessor, Luke Ravenstahl, had launched against UPMC, challenging its tax-exempt status. Peduto indicated his belief that the lawsuit impeded progress in ongoing negotiations between UPMC and the city regarding the payment of taxes.
Bill Peduto was born on October 30, 1964, and graduated from Chartiers Valley High School in 1983. After one year at Carnegie Mellon University, Peduto transferred to Pennsylvania State University, pursuing a degree in political science. He dropped out, however, before completing the degree requirements. In 2007, Peduto returned to finish his degree requirements and became the only member of the nine-member Pittsburgh City Council at the time to have a bachelor's degree. Later, he received a master's degree in public policy and management from the University of Pittsburgh.
Peduto operated a political consulting business and served as general consultant, campaign manager, finance director and other roles for several Democratic candidates and elected officials. At 28, he served as a political director for then-acting Governor Mark Singel. He also worked in Washington, D.C. as an intern to then-U.S. Representative George Gekas.
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