JD Vance supports his brother’s mayoral campaign, likely aiding his progress to the general election in Cincinnati.

JD Vance’s Support Boosts Brother’s Mayoral Campaign in Cincinnati

Vice President JD Vance might have significantly influenced his brother’s campaign for mayor in Cincinnati, helping him gather enough votes to move on to the general election in November.

Cory Bowman, 36, who is Vance’s half-brother, serves as the founder and pastor of the River Church and co-owns Kings Arms Coffee Shop located nearby. He ran against incumbent Mayor Aftab Pureval and another candidate, Brian Frank, hoping to prompt the current mayor to step aside.

On social media, Vance rallied support for Bowman, encouraging Cincinnati residents to cast their votes: “Hey Cincinnati! My brother Cory Bowman is running for mayor and today he’s voting in the primary. He’s a good guy with a heart to serve the community. Go out there and vote for him!”

While Pureval achieved a significant lead in the primary with over 18,000 votes, Bowman secured second place with nearly 2,900 votes against Frank’s 1,022. Bowman’s decision to run was motivated by his brother’s entry into politics, which deeply inspired him.

“I’ve said it over and over again about that relationship, but I’ll repeat it—he’s my incredible role model,” said Bowman, who admires Vance profoundly. However, he emphasized focusing on local issues rather than mirroring national politics. “Our job is not to copy and paste what’s going on in the country. What is our job best for the city of Cincinnati?”

Bowman identified key concerns such as crime, city budgets, and infrastructure problems, like potholes and snow removal. “If you look at the roads, or the snow clearance, it’s clear our priorities aren’t aligned, regardless of intentions,” he expressed.

Mayor Pureval, who was first elected in 2021, asserted his commitment to enhancing Cincinnati’s growth under his leadership, emphasizing the need to build on their progress. “This is our moment, and we are more determined than ever to continue building the progress we have achieved together,” he stated.

Though the mayoral race is officially non-partisan, Cincinnati’s political landscape is predominantly Democratic, with all nine council members elected in 2023 being Democrats. In contrast, Vance and President Trump had a strong showing in Ohio last fall, with significant votes that outpaced their Democratic opponents in Hamilton County, where Cincinnati is located.