Indian-origin Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval wins second term, defeats V-P J.D. Vance’s half-brother Cory Bowman

Indian-origin Mayor Aftab Pureval of Cincinnati, Ohio, won a second term defeating Republican challenger Cory Bowman, the half-brother of Vice-President J.D. Vance, local media reported.

Mr. Pureval’s Tuesday (November 5) victory cements Democrats’ control of Cincinnati’s local government and adds to Mr. Pureval’s growing profile in Ohio politics, Fox News reported on Tuesday (November 5, local time). Mr. Pureval, 43, a former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, first claimed the Mayor’s office in 2021 after winning nearly 66% of the vote, the report said. Mr. Pureval’s Tibetan mother fled Communist Chinese occupation as a child and grew up in a Southern Indian refugee camp, while his father is Punjabi.

Mr. Pureval began his political career in 2015, running for Hamilton County Clerk of Courts.

He easily defeated opponent Mr. Bowman during the May open primary, winning over 80% of the vote. As both men were the top two vote-getters in the primary, they proceeded to compete in the November General election, The Hill reported.

His opponent, Mr. Bowman, never held public office but was inspired to run after his half-brother, J.D. Vance, was inaugurated, Fox reported.

Though Mr. Vance remained on the sidelines during Mr. Bowman’s campaign, he voiced his support for his half-brother on social media, calling him “a good guy with a heart for serving his community,” and urged followers to “get out there and vote for him,” Fox reported.