Archive · 5 Nov 2025
Aftab Pureval Re-elected Cincinnati Mayor, Defeating JD Vance's Half-Brother
Cincinnati has a mayor named Aftab Pureval, and he just won his job for a second time!
He beat another person named Cory Bowman.
Pureval is the first mayor of Asian-American background in Cincinnati and is of Indian heritage.
He first became mayor a couple of years ago.
His opponent, Bowman, is the half-brother of the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance.
The election showed that most people in Cincinnati are happy with Mayor Pureval's work.
Pureval had a strong win in the primary election, getting over 80% of the votes.
Bowman was inspired to run for mayor after his half-brother became Vice President.
While Vance didn't campaign directly, he did encourage people to vote for his half-brother.
Aftab Pureval has been reelected as the Mayor of Cincinnati for a second term.
Pureval, who is of Indian origin, defeated Republican challenger Cory Bowman.
Cory Bowman is the half-brother of US Vice President JD Vance.
Pureval won over 80% of the vote in the May primary and secured his second term in the November general election.
Pureval's victory maintains Democratic control over Cincinnati's local government.
- Who
- Aftab Pureval (incumbent Mayor) and Cory Bowman (challenger)
- What
- Aftab Pureval won re-election as Mayor of Cincinnati, defeating Cory Bowman.
- When
- November (general election), following a May primary.
- Where
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Why
- Pureval secured a second term, continuing Democratic control of the city's local government. Bowman was inspired to run by his half-brother, Vice President JD Vance.
Aftab Pureval
Cory Bowman
Background and Motivation
Aftab Pureval
Pureval is of Indian-origin, with a mother who fled Chinese occupation and grew up in an Indian refugee camp, and a Punjabi father. He began his political career in 2015 and first won the mayor's office in 2021.
Cory Bowman
Bowman, the half-brother of Vice President JD Vance, was inspired to run for office after Vance's inauguration. Vance publicly supported Bowman on social media.
Electoral Performance
Aftab Pureval
Pureval won over 80% of the vote in the May open primary and secured a second term in the November general election, continuing Democratic control of Cincinnati's local government.
Cory Bowman
Bowman advanced to the general election after being one of the top two vote-getters in the primary, but ultimately lost to Pureval.
- Winner
- Aftab Pureval
- Loser
- Cory Bowman
- Office
- Mayor of Cincinnati
- Election Date
- November (specific day not mentioned, following May primary)
- Pureval's First Term Start
- 2021
- Pureval's Ethnicity
- Indian-origin (mother from India, father Punjabi)
- Bowman's Relation
- Half-brother of US Vice President JD Vance
Sources
Aftab Pureval re-elected as Cincinnati Mayor: All about his family life, net worth and political journey
Zohran, Aftab, Ghazala: The Growing Indian Footprint In America's Power Corridors
"Spectacular": Shashi Tharoor Lavishes Praise On Zohran Mamdani
Indian-origin Cincinnati mayor wins second term, defeats VP JD Vance’s half-brother
Who is Cory Bowman, JD Vance’s half-brother, who lost the Cincinnati mayor race?
Who Is Aftab Pureval? Indian-Origin Cincinnati Mayor Wins 2nd Term, Defeats Vance's Half-Brother
