CINCINNATI — Despite an election cycle filled with questions about public safety and leadership in Cincinnati, incumbent Mayor Aftab Pureval has won reelection, the Associated Press is projecting.

Pureval beat political newcomer Cory Bowman, the half-brother of Vice President JD Vance, Tuesday night.

The 43-year-old was first elected into office in 2021, defeating fellow Democrat David Mann with about 66% of the vote. In the May primary, he finished with more than 82% of the vote, far ahead of Bowman, who finished in second with only about 13% of the vote.

But since that primary, a summer of violent crime changed the focus of the race into public safety. From fatal shootings to a brawl that garnered national attention, Pureval and city leaders were forced to confront rising crime

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