The incumbent mayor, Sophie Masloff of the Democratic Party, chose not to run for re-election.

State Representative Tom Murphy, who had finished in second to Masloff during the previous election cycle's Democratic primary won the party's nomination, defeating City Councilman (and future Pennsylvania Auditor General) Jack Wagner.

Murphy had been well regarded for his work in the legislature for projects designed to improve the unity and community feel of city neighborhoods.

Nonetheless, his previous run for mayor had laid a strong foundation for a primary win.

Although Murphy won by a large margin, as is typical of Pittsburgh Democrats, he lost the city's black vote.