Aftab Pureval to Face JD Vance’s Brother in November Race for Cincinnati Mayor
Cincinnati’s mayoral race is set for a high-profile showdown this November, as Vice President JD Vance’s half-brother, Cory Bowman, officially secured a spot on the general election ballot following Tuesday’s primary.
The contest will pit Bowman, a Republican businessman and pastor, against incumbent Democrat Mayor Aftab Pureval, who has led the city since 2021. While the race is technically non-partisan, the ideological divide between the candidates is clear—and so are the odds.
Pureval, buoyed by establishment support in the deep-blue city, captured a commanding 82.5% of the primary vote, totaling over 18,500 ballots. Bowman trailed with nearly 13%, or just under 2,900 votes. A third candidate, Brian Patrick Frank, was eliminated with less than 5%.
Despite the uphill battle, Bowman remained optimistic and energized following his primary finish.
“I’m deeply grateful to every Cincinnati voter who cast a ballot to advance us to the general election,” Bowman wrote on Facebook. “My family and I are overwhelmed by the encouragement and support we’ve received over recent weeks, and we’re excited for all that will be accomplished in the months ahead.”
Bowman, co-owner of Kings Arms Coffee and founder of The River Church in the West End, has not shied away from his conservative roots. He proudly noted his attendance at President Donald Trump’s second inauguration earlier this year and emphasized that it helped cement his decision to run.
“When I landed, I knew the city where my family and I live and love cannot fall behind in the critical years ahead,” Bowman said in his campaign launch post.
His half-brother, Vice President JD Vance, endorsed him enthusiastically on primary day.
“Hey Cincinnati! My brother Cory Bowman is running for mayor and is on the ballot today for the primary. He’s a good guy with a heart for serving his community. Get out there and vote for him!” Vance posted on X.
Still, even with national support from a sitting Republican vice president, Bowman faces long odds. Hamilton County voters backed Democrat Kamala Harris over President Trump in the last election cycle, 56% to 42%, reflecting a political climate that’s trended leftward for decades. Cincinnati has not elected a Republican mayor since reverting to direct elections in 2001. The last Republican to serve—Ken Blackwell—held the post under the city’s former council-manager system from 1979 to 1980.
For his part, Pureval responded to the results with a call for a civil exchange of ideas.
“Residents deserve a substantive and healthy debate of ideas about the future of our city,” he said. “I’m excited to keep up the work to earn their support for another four years as Mayor.”
Still, the general election gives conservatives a rare opportunity to test a pro-family, pro-faith, small-business-focused agenda in an urban stronghold long dominated by Democrats.
JD Vance: Eyes on the Mission, Not the Headlines
Meanwhile, Vice President Vance made headlines this week after playfully brushing off speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. During an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Vance reacted with good humor when asked about Trump campaign merchandise teasing a future White House bid.
“There were some Trump 2028 hats floating around,” Vance said. “And I put one on, and I said: ‘Mr. President, if you took a photo of this, this would go super viral.’”
He emphasized that his focus remains on delivering results in the present.
“I think the president and I are going to be working together for years to come,” Vance said. “I think we have a rare opportunity over these next three years to actually undo a lot of damage… and build a true American renaissance.”
While the political press speculates about what comes next, the America First movement is focused on what matters most: fixing the economy, restoring security, and rebuilding the nation’s foundation from the ground up.
Whether in the halls of power or on the streets of Cincinnati, that mission is just getting started.