PITTSBURGH — When he took office in 2006 after the sudden death of his predecessor, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl became something of a media sensation.

At 26, he was the nation’s youngest big-city mayor. David Letterman asked if his appearance on “The Late Show” was interfering with his homework.

Today, Mayor Ravenstahl’s age is not an issue. Though he has yet to turn 30, he has become a force in Pittsburgh politics, having won election in his own right in 2007 and handily defeating a challenger for the Democratic nomination this year.

Mr. Ravenstahl is expected to win re-election Tuesday over two independent candidates. But he faces new trials as Pittsburgh struggles with a declining population, a shrinking tax base and fiscal problems with its pension plan.

“I’m most definitely up for the challenge,” Mr. Ravenstahl said. “I learned a lot in my first term, and we are ready to move forward.”

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