Who is Cory Bowman? Half-brother of US VP JD Vance running for Cincinnati mayor

Cory Bowman, the younger half-brother of Vice President JD Vance, is emerging as a new name in Ohio politics after clinching second place in Cincinnati’s mayoral primary. On Tuesday, Bowman advanced to the general election, where he’ll face incumbent Mayor Aftab Pureval in a city that hasn’t elected a Republican mayor in more than 50 years, reported the news agency AP.

Despite the odds, Bowman, 36, believes his campaign is about service, not legacy. “As far as the relationship with JD, I tell people he’s my brother, he’s not a political counsellor to me,” Bowman was quoted by AP. “He is not somebody that planted me here in this city”, he further said.

Who is Cory Bowman?

• Bowman is registered as a Republican and is a pastor at The River Church in Cincinnati.
• He also co-owns Kings Arms Coffee in the College Hill area, reported the Dayton Daily News.
• He lives in Cincinnati with his wife Jordan, their three children and is expecting a fourth this summer.
• Born and raised on a farm in Preble County, Bowman shares a father, Donald Bowman, with US Vice President Vance.
• The two only connected as teenagers, after Vance had been estranged from their father.
• Bowman studied economics at Miami University and later moved to Florida, where he earned a ministry degree and met his wife.
• The family returned to Ohio in 2020, making Cincinnati home.
• Though a political newcomer, Bowman has quickly gained attention, not only for his family ties, but also for his campaign platform.

According to the BBC, Bowman has promised to repeal Cincinnati’s sanctuary city designation, crack down on “financial corruption,” and improve public safety.

His push for office, he said, was sparked after watching his brother being sworn in as vice president during the Trump-Vance inauguration. “I just thought this would be a great way to help impact the city in another realm as well, because that’s always been the focus,” Bowman said.

In Tuesday’s primary, Bowman secured roughly 13 per cent of the vote, while Mayor Pureval dominated with about 83 per cent. Republican Brian Frank was eliminated from the race after finishing third.

According to AP, Pureval, who first won the mayor's office in 2021, called for a “substantive and healthy debate of ideas about the future of our city” in response to the primary results.

Vice President Vance did not actively campaign for his half-brother but did endorse him publicly on the day of the primary. “He’s a good guy with a heart for serving his community,” Vance wrote on X. Bowman replied simply, “Love you brother!”