Cincinnati Mayoral Race Narrows to Two Candidates After Primary Vote

The upcoming mayoral election in Cincinnati is now set, with incumbent Mayor Aftab Pureval and challenger Cory Bowman advancing to the general election this November. The results of the primary vote, held on Tuesday, indicate a strong lead for Pureval, but both candidates are preparing for a focused campaign over the coming months.

Mayor Aftab Pureval, who has led the city since 2021, received overwhelming support in the primary, securing approximately 82.5% of the vote—around 18,500 votes in total. His challenger, Cory Bowman, finished in second place with close to 2,900 votes, or about 13%. A third candidate, Brian Patrick Frank, was eliminated after receiving just over 4% of the vote.

Despite the steep margin, Bowman expressed gratitude and optimism in a message shared on social media after the results were confirmed.

“I’m deeply grateful to every Cincinnati voter who cast a ballot to advance us to the general election,” Bowman stated. “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, a community figure and entrepreneur, is the founder of The River Church located in the West End and co-owner of a local coffee shop, Kings Arms Coffee. He is also the half-brother of current Vice President JD Vance and has referenced that connection during his campaign.

Bowman described his motivation to run for mayor in a public post, recalling his return to Cincinnati after attending a historic inauguration earlier this year.

“When I landed, I knew the city where my family and I live and love cannot fall behind in the critical years ahead,” he wrote, signaling his desire to focus on the future development of the city.

Though Cincinnati’s mayoral election is officially non-partisan, Bowman has identified with Republican values. On primary day, Vice President Vance endorsed his brother on social media, urging Cincinnati voters to support him. “He’s a good guy with a heart for serving his community,” Vance wrote.

Still, electoral trends in Hamilton County—where Cincinnati is located—suggest the general election may be a challenge for Bowman. Recent voting patterns in the area have leaned toward Democratic candidates. In the most recent presidential race, for instance, Kamala Harris received a majority of the county’s support over Donald Trump. Moreover, Cincinnati has not elected a Republican mayor since the city returned to direct mayoral elections in 2001. The last Republican mayor, Ken Blackwell, served under a different government structure in the late 1970s.

With a comfortable lead from the primary and a strong record as the city’s current mayor, Pureval is widely considered the frontrunner heading into the November vote. However, both candidates are preparing to engage in a competitive campaign focused on the city’s priorities.

Pureval responded to the primary results by acknowledging his opponents and emphasizing his commitment to public service and continued dialogue.

“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.”

In addition to his mayoral campaign, Vice President JD Vance has remained in the public spotlight with national political discussions. In a recent interview, he commented on speculation about future presidential campaigns, including a moment involving a “Trump 2028” hat. He recalled the moment with humor, but redirected the conversation toward his vision for long-term policy improvement.

“I think that we have a rare opportunity over these next few years to actually undo a lot of damage… and build a true American renaissance,” Vance said during the interview. “That’s what we’re excited about.”

While Vance’s presence brings national attention to Cincinnati’s local politics, the mayoral race itself will likely remain centered on key urban issues—such as economic development, public safety, affordable housing, and community engagement.

Both candidates are expected to share more detailed plans and participate in public forums and debates as the election date draws closer. For voters in Cincinnati, this provides an important opportunity to consider the leadership they want guiding the city into the next chapter.

As the November 4 general election approaches, citizens will have the final say in determining whether Mayor Pureval continues for a second term or if new leadership takes the helm.