On Tuesday, the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, held their primary election to determine who would earn a spot on November's mayoral ballot.
The city's mayoral race is nonpartisan—no parties appear next to candidates' names on the primary or general election ballots. The top two vote getters in the primary, regardless of their party affiliation, vie for the office.
Tuesday's primary saw three people on the ballot:
- incumbent Democrat Aftab Pureval
- Republican Brian Frank
- Republican Cory Bowman
But only one candidate had an endorsement coming straight from the Trump administration.
Evangelical pastor and coffee shop owner Cory Bowman received the support of Vice President JD Vance midday on Tuesday. Bowman shares a father, Donald Bowman, with James Donald Bowman, a.k.a. James David Hamel, a.k.a. J.D. Hamel, a.k.a. J.D. Vance.
Vance posted on X:
"Hey Cincinnati! My brother Cory Bowman is running for mayor and is on the ballot today for the primary. He’s a good guy with a heart for serving his community. Get out there and vote for him!"
But Vance's endorsement failed to bear fruit—or votes.
Incumbent Democratic Mayor Pureval garnered 82.53% of the vote, compared to Bowman's 12.91% and Frank's 4.6%. Vance can now see what a real landslide victory looks like, having no personal experience with one himself.
MAGA Republican President Donald Trump and Vance won just 48% of the vote versus 42% for former Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
People were no more supportive of either Bowman brother on social media.
JD Vance holds NCAA trophy, it breaks. JD Vance visits the Pope, he dies JD Vance visits India, a war breaks out. JD Vance endorses his brother, brother gets creamed. I'm sensing a pattern.
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— Jeff Lazarus (@jlazarus.bsky.social) May 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM
JD Vance broke the National Championship trophy, then visited the Pope who died the next day, then visited India and a terrorist attack happened and war broke out, then endorsed his brother for mayor who lost 83-11%. What’s next on the agenda?
— Ron Filipkowski (@ronfilipkowski.bsky.social) May 6, 2025 at 9:16 PM
JD Vance’s younger brother getting demolished in the race for Cincinnati mayor after Vance endorsed him. You hate to see it. 🤣
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— Mike Nellis (@mikenellis.bsky.social) May 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Remember when JD Vance endorsed his brother for Cincinnati mayor? Voters overwhelmingly rejected him. 82.5% to 12.9%. That says everything
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— Lil A 👊🇺🇸🔥 (@lilatheofficial.bsky.social) May 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
The Repudiation Tour in OH continues!! Great job Cincy!!!! The next one to toss out in the primary next year is Vivek Ramaswamy. Ohio, stand up for yourselves!!!! #Ohio
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— Bock Sam (@bocksam.bsky.social) May 7, 2025 at 9:13 AM
JD Vance visits Pope. Pope dies. JD Vance visits India. War breaks out. JD Vance endorses his brother. Brother crashes and burns. I dunno 'bout y'all, but Bubba Vance beginning to sound like the Kiss of Death...
— bluesmaster (@bluesmaster.bsky.social) May 7, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Not a good look, JD.
The two winners of the May 6 mayoral primary election will face off in the general election on November 4.