PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh's 29-year-old mayor beat two independent candidates to win his first full term in office.
Luke Ravenstahl inherited the seat in September 2006 from his predecessor, Bob O'Connor, who died months into office from a rare brain cancer. Ravenstahl then won an election in 2007 to complete O'Connor's term.
On Tuesday, Ravenstahl beat challengers Kevin Acklin and Franco Dok Harris for the seat.
Two of the biggest issues Ravenstahl will face is making sure Pittsburgh, considered financially distressed by the state, continues to operate in a surplus and dealing with a serious pension fund issue.
Only 30 percent of Pittsburgh's pensions are funded, one of the worst situations nationwide for a large metropolitan area.
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