Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval re-elected after defeating JD Vance’s half-brother Cory Bowman in a decisive 2025 victory (Photo: X | @AftabPureval)
Aftab Karma Singh Pureval has made history once more is the Indian-origin politician won re-election as Mayor of Cincinnati, defeating Republican challenger Cory Bowman, who happens to be the half-brother of US Vice President JD Vance.
Pureval's victory with nearly 80% of the vote underlines his enduring popularity and marks another milestone in the growing influence of Indian Americans in US politics. Although the mayoral race in Cincinnati is officially nonpartisan, Pureval's Democratic leanings have helped cement his position as a key figure in Ohio's political landscape.
Aftab Pureval was born on September 9, 1982, in Xenia, Ohio, to two immigrant parents who instilled in him a profound respect for hard work and public service. His father, Devinder Singh Pureval, was born in Punjab, India, while his mother was Drenko, a Tibetan refugee.
The family moved to Beavercreek, Ohio, when Aftab was four. His first name, Aftab meaning is sunshine in Persian was given to him to symbolize a new beginning for his family here in America.
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Pureval attended Ohio State University for his undergraduate degree in political science. Immediately, he was very active in student government to the point of being president of the Undergraduate Student Government. Later, he attended the University of Cincinnati for his law degree, working in the Domestic Violence Clinic to represent survivors who couldn't afford to hire a lawyer a commitment to justice that would define his public life.
Pureval started his career at White & Case LLP in Washington, D.C., where he worked on antitrust litigation. Later, he moved back to Ohio to be a special assistant U.S. attorney with the Department of Justice and then joined Procter & Gamble as legal counsel for the Olay brand. He was elected as the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in 2015, where he introduced paid family leave and increased minimum salaries for staff.
Pureval's family history is that of resilience with his mother fled Tibet as a child during the Chinese occupation; his father emigrated from India in search of opportunity. Their journey from refugee camps in southern India to Ohio shaped Pureval's belief in the American dream and his drive to serve diverse communities.
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Aftab is married to Dr. Whitney Whitis, an internal medicine physician at Bethesda North Hospital. The couple has two sons, Bodhi & Rami, she is actively involved in Cincinnati's community life.
According to various media reports, as of 2025, his estimated net worth is approximately $1 million. His earnings as mayor and his previous career as a corporate lawyer are the major sources of his income.
First elected in 2021 with nearly 66% of the vote, Pureval became Cincinnati’s first Asian American mayor. His leadership has focused on equity, infrastructure, and inclusive growth. With his 2025 re-election, he strengthened Democratic control in the city and cemented his reputation as a rising star in American politics. His journey-from a refugee family to a city's highest office continues to inspire new generations of public servants across the nation.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on verified reports and publicly available information. All details are accurate as of publication time.
