1997 Pittsburgh mayoral election

← 1993 November 4, 1997 2001 →

Nominee Tom Murphy Harry Frost Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 63,246 17,161 Percentage 76.9% 20.9%

Mayor before election Tom Murphy Democratic Elected Mayor Tom Murphy Democratic

Elections in Pennsylvania
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State government Governor 1790 1793 1796 1799 1802 1805 1808 1811 1814 1817 1820 1823 1826 1829 1832 1835 1838 1841 1844 1847 1848 1851 1854 1857 1860 1863 1866 1869 1872 1875 1878 1882 1886 1890 1894 1898 1902 1906 1910 1914 1918 1922 1926 1930 1934 1938 1942 1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022 2026 Lieutenant Governor 1874 1878 1882 1886 1890 1894 1898 1902 1906 1910 1914 1918 1922 1926 1930 1934 1938 1942 1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022 Attorney General 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Auditor General 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 State Treasurer 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 State Senate 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 State House of Representatives 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
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Government
v t e

The mayoral election of 1997 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was held on Tuesday, November 4, 1997. The incumbent mayor, Tom Murphy of the Democratic Party was running for a second straight term.

Democratic primary

Murphy faced a difficult battle from City Council President Bob O'Connor, who would later go on to become mayor. The incumbent's popularity was waning due to his steadfast of two controversial measures: a tax to construct new stadiums for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates, and a faltering public-private partnership to purchase vacant Downtown storefronts. The battle was especially tense due to personality differences between the two men that led to frequently clashes over legislation.

General Election

A total of 82,203 votes were cast in the general election. As is typical of races in Pittsburgh, the Democratic candidate won by a large margin over Republican Harry Frost, a construction executive.