Aftab Pureval re-elected as Cincinnati mayor

According to unofficial results, Pureval won with 78%, totaling more than 51,000 votes.

After his win, Pureval thanked friends, families and all Cincinnatians who voted for him. He also said being Cincinnati’s mayor is the “responsibility of (his) lifetime.”

“The work remains ahead,” Pureval said. “We have to continue to prioritize public safety, continue to prioritize basic services, continue to work with this council to build more housing and create more jobs and opportunities,” Pureval said.

“This city has to work for all of us, not just some of us,” Pureval continued.

Pureval also said Bowman called and spoke to him before the race was called.

“He was very classy to call me. He conceded the race, and I offered him the opportunity to work together to make Cincinnati even better,” Pureval said.

In his concession speech, Bowman said he would gladly accept Pureval’s offer.

Pureval was first elected into office in 2021, defeating fellow Democrat David Mann with about 66% of the vote. In the May primary, the 43-year-old finished with more than 82% of the vote, far ahead of Bowman, who finished in second with only about 13% of the vote.

But since that primary, a summer of violent crime changed the focus of the race into public safety. From fatal shootings to a brawl that garnered national attention, Pureval and city leaders were forced to confront rising crime statistics, creating safety plans to address ongoing violence and getting help from the state.

Just weeks before Election Day, the city put Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge on administrative leave as a third-party firm investigates “the effectiveness of her leadership.”

When we spoke to Pureval before the election, he identified public safety as priorities “one, two and three” for his second term.

“I say that it is unacceptable, that it is a problem, and that I take full responsibility. I’m the mayor. It’s on me,” Pureval said. “But what I want to communicate to the public is that I very clearly understand that this is the biggest challenge facing our city, and we will stop at nothing to correct it.”

Pureval said his other focuses include affordable housing and city services like pothole repairs and snow removal after a brutal winter revealed glaring issues with the city’s plans.