Ravenstahl wins Pittsburgh mayor primary

PITTSBURGH, May 20 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has won the Democratic Party mayoral primary, election returns indicated, giving him an inside track to gain a full term.

Ravenstahl, 29, garnered 26,848 votes in Tuesday's primary, more than doubling the total of second-place finisher Patrick Dowd, 41, the Allegheny County Elections Division Web site showed, giving him the biggest percentage of a mayoral primary vote since 1993, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

"Just when I think I can't love the people in this city any more you continue to amaze me with an overwhelming victory here tonight," Ravenstahl told supporters in a short victory speech. "Thanks, Pittsburgh!"

Analysts said it's likely Ravenstahl, who won a special election two years ago to fill out the term of the late Bob O'Connor, will face independents Kevin Acklin and Franco "Dok" Harris, son of the Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris, in the Nov. 3 general election, the Post-Gazette reported.