The mayoral race in Cincinnati has narrowed to two candidates for November after Tuesday’s primary election. Incumbent Aftab Pureval will face Cory Bowman, half-brother to Vice President JD Vance, on Nov. 4.
If the primary results are any indication, Pureval will likely see a comfortable victory in November. Pureval, who has served as Cincinnati’s mayor since 2021, secured 82.53% of the vote on Tuesday, or about 18,500 votes. Bowman raked in 12.91%, which is just under 2,900 votes. The third candidate, Brian Patrick Frank, was knocked out of the race with only 4.5%, or just over a thousand votes.
Bowman, the founder of The River Church in the West End and co-owner of Kings Arms Coffee, wrote on Facebook that he’s “excited” to move on to the general election.
“I’m deeply grateful to every Cincinnati voter who cast a ballot to advance us to the general election,” Bowman said. “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.”
While the mayoral race is non-partisan, Bowman is a Republican who has flexed his connection to Vice President Vance.
“Weeks ago, my flight touched down at CVG, returning home from the most monumental inauguration in my generation,” Bowman wrote in his official campaign announcement. “When I landed, I knew the city where my family and I live and love cannot fall behind in the critical years ahead.”
Vance offered an endorsement of his half-brother on primary day, writing on X, “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!”
But even the endorsement of the sitting Republican VP might not go far in November. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris outperformed President Donald Trump in Hamilton County with 56% of the vote, compared to Trump’s 42%. While Republican mayors were once common in Cincinnati’s past, the city hasn’t elected a Republican to the office since it returned to direct elections in 2001. The last Republican to serve as mayor, Ken Blackwell, held the role from 1979 to 1980 under the council-manager system.
Barring a major setback or scandal, Pureval likely has the November contest in the bag. Still, he’s looking forward to debating Bowman.
“Residents deserve a substantive and healthy debate of ideas about the future of our city,” Pureval wrote following the primary results. “I’m excited to keep up the work to earn their support for another four years as Mayor.”
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.
Follow CityBeat’s staff news writer Madeline Fening on Instagram. Got a news tip? Email mfening@citybeat.com.
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