By Grady Andersen, Newswire Intern
Democrats were able to hold onto Cincinnati’s mayoral seat and form a Democratic supermajority at the city council level.
Incumbent Democrat Aftab Pureval won in a landslide over Republican challenger Cory Bowman. Bowman, the half-brother of Vice President JD Vance, ran what some considered a profile boosting campaign, using the race more so for name recognition than focusing on issues. This allowed Pureval to get a sustained gap in polls that only grew further as more time went on. Pureval would end up winning with 78% of the vote.
“And that is why this city’s motto is strength and unity. When we have that unity, we have the strength to achieve our wildest dreams. And with this election, we’ve got four more years. Four more years to achieve those dreams together,” Pureval said during his victory speech.
“We were the first Republicans since 2009 to run for mayor of Cincinnati. We’re actually the first based on the new rules of the primary. We’re the first Republican to ever come through a primary in Cincinnati’s history,” Bowman said in his concession speech.
The city council will retain almost all incumbents and gain one newcomer, Democrat Ryan James. It will still remain a pure Democratic council.
James was able to squeeze a victory out, as he received the ninth most votes, 1500 ahead of 10th place, Liz Keating. A community advocate, James ran on a policy of increasing affordable housing opportunities.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, pictured above, was one of the Democrats reelected for another term in Cincinnati’s government.
“His big issue was affordable housing … I’m excited to see what data and statistics come out in the next couple years while he’s in City Council about how affordable housing has changed,” sophomore Philosophy, Politics and the Public (PPP) major Jennette Davis, who interned with James’ campaign said.
Cincinnati’s school board seats were also up for grabs, with three incumbents holding onto their seats on the board. President Kareem Moffett, as well as Brandon Craig and Jim Crossett won reelection. Mary Wineberg chose not to seek reelection, allowing former Kroger higher-up Kari Ambruster to secure the seat. Armbruster ran on a campaign for furthering diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and supporting child care efforts.
“Armbruster wanted to make meetings with parents easier to get there, and maybe set up stuff for child care while they’re coming there, so everybody’s voice is heard,” sophomore PPP major Allison Gorius, who interned for Armbruster’s campaign, said.
While the local government functions remain heavily Democratic, it has yet to be seen whether or not it will mean anything as the state and country as a whole enter a watershed moment, with the 2026 midterms rapidly approaching.