Cory Bowman, the half-brother of US Vice President JD Vance, is getting significant attention with his unexpected entry into the Cincinnati mayoral race. 36-year-old Bowman is a relative newcomer to city politics, but his candidacy marks a notable challenge to incumbent Mayor Aftab Pureval, a rising Democrat seeking reelection.
Born and raised around Hamilton, Ohio, Bowman grew up frequently relocating between Ohio and Florida due to his father Donald Bowman’s custom home-building work.
He considers the Cincinnati area his home despite only settling in the city around 2020. Bowman holds a degree in economics and business administration from Miami University and later studied ministry at River University in Tampa, Florida.
After meeting his wife, Jordan, an Oklahoma native, the couple returned to Cincinnati to put down roots. Together, they co-founded The River Church in the city’s West End and later launched Kings Arms Coffee, a faith-based caf. They currently have three children and are expecting their fourth this June.
What Drove Bowman Into The Mayoral Race
According to the Associated Press, Bowman said his decision to enter the mayoral race came after feeling inspired watching his half-brother’s vice-presidential inauguration in January.
Despite not voting in the last local election, a point raised by Pureval’s campaign, Bowman insists his bid is driven by a deep love for Cincinnati and a desire to help the city through leadership rooted in faith, economics, and community service.
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While his relationship with Vance was distant during childhood, Vance was adopted and raised apart from their shared father—the two reconnected as young adults.
They bonded over shared experiences like attending college in Ohio, starting families, and settling in Cincinnati. Despite their close personal ties, Bowman says he does not have his brother’s endorsement, and Vance has remained publicly neutral.
Bowman joins Republican Brian Frank in challenging Mayor Pureval in a three-way nonpartisan primary on May 6. While Pureval remains a strong favorite, Bowman’s entry adds a layer of political intrigue to an already closely watched race in Ohio’s third-largest city.
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