Wheatley to leave House, become deputy mayor

REP. JAKE WHEATLEY AND MAYOR ELECT ED GAINEY

Sources have confirmed to the New Pittsburgh Courier that Jake Wheatley, longtime member of the state House representing the Hill District, North Side, Downtown and parts of the South Side, will become deputy mayor of the City of Pittsburgh under soon-to-be Mayor Ed Gainey.

The news was first reported by KDKA-TV.

That means two of the most recognizable African American men in Pittsburgh will join forces to lead Pittsburgh into its future, after a shaky past that’s seen 7,000 African Americans exit the city proper in recent years.

Wheatley has been a state representative since 2003, his highly recognizable “People’s Office” located on Centre Avenue in the heart of the Hill. Representative Wheatley is a 1989 graduate of Osseo Senior High School in Minnesota, and earned his bachelor’s from North Carolina A&T, an HBCU. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Representative Wheatley had begun his latest term as state House member in January, saying at the time he wanted to help keep minority-owned businesses afloat during the pandemic. He is currently the Democratic chairman of the House Professional Licensure Committee, and previously served two terms as Democratic chairman of the House Finance Committee.

REP. JAKE WHEATLEY

Representative Wheatley has been one of Gainey’s most ardent supporters, not only as teammates in the state House, but during Gainey’s mayoral run. “I’m enthusiastically supporting Ed Gainey for mayor because Ed shows up, Ed cares, Ed delivers, and I want to encourage you to join me to make sure our next four years are better than our last eight,” Rep. Wheatley said in a video announcing his endorsement for Gainey.

Representative Wheatley’s expected leave from the state House would open a spot for someone to become the next representative of Pa.’s 19th House District. Even before Gainey became the official mayor-elect, former Wilkinsburg School Board member Ashley Comans announced she would be seeking Gainey’s House District 24 seat. No other candidates have yet emerged publicly for a spot on the 24th or 19th House seats.

 

 

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