Incumbent Cincinnati and Toledo Mayors Overwhelmingly Lead Primaries
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, both Democrats, are running for re-election.
The primaries occurred today in Ohio to select the two candidates advancing to the general election for Mayors of Cincinnati and Toledo. The incumbent Mayors are seeking re-election to another term in office in both contests.
Today’s primaries are officially nonpartisan. However, every candidate identifies with a political party and will be cited as such. The top two finishers will advance to the general election scheduled for November 4, 2025. The general election will occur even if a candidate achieves a 50%+1 majority during the primary.
In Cincinnati, Democratic incumbent Aftab Pureval and Republican Cory Bowman will advance with 82.5% (18,505) and 12.9% (2,894) against Republican Brian Frank with 4.6% (1,022). 22,421 votes counted.
Pureval has served as the Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio since January 2022. Previously, he was Clerk of Courts for Hamilton County from January 2017 to January 2022.
Bowman is the co-owner of Kings Arms Coffee and pastor of The River Church in the West End. He is also the half-brother of Vice President J.D. Vance.
According to 2023 estimates, Cincinnati is the 64th most populous city in the United States and the third most populous city in Ohio.
In Toledo, Democratic incumbent Wade Kapszukiewicz and Independent Roberto Torres will advance with 53.6% (6,975) and 24.6% (3,204) against Independent Harold Harris with 21.8% (2,842). 13,021 votes counted.
Kapszukiewicz has served as the Mayor of Toledo, Ohio since January 2018. Previously, he was the Treasurer of Lucas County from January 2005 to January 2018.
Torres previously worked for former Toledo Mayors Carty Finkbeiner and Jack Ford. He also held an At-Large seat on the Toledo Public Schools Board of Education from 2005 to 2008. From 2018 to 2024, he served as Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.
According to 2023 estimates, Toledo is the 85th most populous city in the United States and the fourth most populous city in Ohio.