- GOP challengers Cory Bowman (Vance’s half-brother) and Brian Frank aim to unseat incumbent Democrat Aftab Pureval
- Top two candidates advance to November general election in Ohio’s third-largest city
- Pureval seeks second term after 2021 landslide victory with 66% support
- Low voter turnout patterns could create unexpected upsets in primary
- $2.5B infrastructure funding measure appears on same ballot
The Cincinnati mayoral race took a dramatic turn Tuesday as two Republican challengers sought to disrupt Democratic leadership in Ohio’s Queen City. Cory Bowman, an evangelical pastor and half-brother of Vice President JD Vance, joined political newcomer Brian Frank in challenging incumbent Aftab Pureval. This nonpartisan primary follows Cincinnati’s tradition of off-year elections, where historically low 15-20% voter participation has sometimes produced surprising outcomes.
Bowman’s candidacy introduces an intriguing dynamic to local politics. The 36-year-old coffee shop owner insists his campaign focuses strictly on urban revitalization rather than national Republican agendas. However, political analysts note his family connection could mobilize conservative voters in a city where Democrats hold 58% voter registration advantage. This race tests whether name recognition outweighs partisan loyalty in municipal elections,observed University of Cincinnati political science professor Dr. Laura Bennett.
Pureval enters the primary with strong advantages, having secured a decisive victory with nearly two-thirds of ballots cast in 2021. The former federal prosecutor turned heads in 2017 when he became Hamilton County’s first Asian-American elected official. His administration highlights crime reduction initiatives and major infrastructure projects like the $140M Western Hills Viaduct replacement.
Historical precedents suggest no incumbent is safe in Cincinnati’s quirky election calendar. In 2013, then-Councilman John Cranley stunned observers by defeating former Mayor Roxanne Qualls in the primary despite trailing in early polls. Similar surprises occurred in 2017 when Yvette Simpson narrowly topped Cranley before losing the general election.
Parallel to the mayoral contest, voters weigh State Issue 2 – a decade-long $2.5B infrastructure package targeting road repairs and bridge upgrades. Local contractors estimate the measure could create 18,000 temporary jobs, though critics argue it duplicates existing state transportation budgets.
Political strategists emphasize three critical factors shaping this race: Pureval’s fundraising advantage ($1.2M war chest vs. $180K combined for challengers), Bowman’s ability to attract media attention through family ties, and potential ripple effects from Ohio’s newly redrawn congressional districts. With early voting patterns showing 23% higher Republican turnout compared to 2021, some experts predict a closer-than-expected primary battle.
