The mayoral election of 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2005. The incumbent mayor, Tom Murphy of the Democratic Party chose not to run for what would have been a record fourth straight term.
Democratic primary.
Longtime City Councilman Bob O'Connor, who was defeated in the Democratic primary for mayor in the previous two elections, won nearly half the vote in a four-way contest. With outgoing executive Murphy deeply unpopular due to a 2003 budgetary crisis, O'Connor, a heated Murphy rival, emerged as the top candidate. His victory came against his legislative partner Bill Peduto (who would later become Mayor himself), City Controller Michael Lamb, and former Allegheny County Councilman Louis "Hop" Kendrick. 