Context:

Cory Bowman, the half-brother of Vice President Vance, has advanced to the general election in the race for Cincinnati's mayor after securing second place in the primary with 12.91% of the votes. Bowman, who is backed by the GOP, will face the incumbent Democratic-aligned Mayor Aftab Pureval, who won 82.53% of the primary votes. Bowman's political journey was inspired by Vance's inauguration, yet he emphasizes that his brother is not a political advisor to him. Despite their different upbringings, the half-brothers share a familial bond and similar educational and life milestones. Bowman's campaign focuses on local issues such as public safety, infrastructure, and property taxes, and he acknowledges the challenge of running in a traditionally Democratic city like Cincinnati.

Dive Deeper:

• Cory Bowman, a pastor and co-owner of a coffee shop, credits Vice President Vance with inspiring his political aspirations, although he maintains that Vance is not directly involved in his campaign decisions. Bowman is focused on addressing local issues such as public safety, infrastructure improvements, and lowering property taxes.

• Vice President Vance and Bowman share a father but grew up in different familial environments. Vance was raised by his maternal grandparents and had no relationship with his biological father, while Bowman grew up on a farm near Cincinnati.

• The Cincinnati mayoral race is nonpartisan, but it is historically dominated by Democratic candidates. Bowman and his primary opponent, Brian Frank, are the first Republicans to run in 16 years, with Bowman advancing to the general election to challenge the incumbent Mayor Pureval.

• Bowman's campaign was launched after a sense of duty to his roots and a desire to impact Cincinnati positively. He moved to Cincinnati in 2020 and has been met with skepticism due to his relatively short residency, but he asserts his lifelong connection to the city.

• The political landscape in Cincinnati is challenging for Republican candidates, as the city has not had a Republican-aligned mayor for decades. Despite this, Bowman remains optimistic about providing voters with a choice, as highlighted in his social media posts celebrating his primary victory.

• Vice President Vance publicly endorsed Bowman just hours before the primary polls closed, emphasizing Bowman's community-focused approach and encouraging voter support.

• Bowman and Vance's bond grew over time due to shared life experiences, such as attending college in Ohio and starting families around the same time, which has strengthened their relationship despite their different paths.