From Pittsburgh mayoral race pits charmer vs. reformer:

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s political fortunes, so far, have turned nicely on charm.

Charm as in charmed— a tug of fate that vaulted him from being a minor player in city government seven months ago into Pittsburgh’s most powerful office.

And natural charm: an affable personality and eager spirit that magnetized Pittsburghers so quickly that Ravenstahl, 27, of Summer Hill, is in an excellent position to win the mayor’s office in his own right and hold the seat well into the next decade, analysts say.