The very next morning, the news of Leo's candidacy made the front-page headlines of every media outlet in Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Chronicle ran a relatively neutral headline: "Community Hero Challenges Incumbent Mayor, Pittsburgh Election Kicks Off Early."
Some right-wing, conservative media outlets, however, began their first round of attacks on Leo.
They painted him as a dangerous socialist, an opportunist with ulterior motives in Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, in Mayor Carter Wright's campaign headquarters, the atmosphere was oppressive.
The office, located on the top floor of a luxury downtown high-rise, overlooked the entire Pittsburgh skyline.
But at that moment, no one was in the mood to admire the view.
Carter Wright's campaign manager and his key advisors were holding an emergency strategy meeting.
The meeting had only one item on the agenda: how to deal with the sudden emergence of the challenger, Leo Wallace.
