Republican JD Vance’s half brother wants to be Cincinnati's next mayor

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cory Bowman was feeling inspired in January as he headed home after watching his half brother, JD Vance, be inaugurated as vice president.

The 36-year-old Bowman, who shares a father with Vance, was already active in the community, starting an evangelical church in Cincinnati’s West End and later opening a coffee shop. But he hadn’t thought politics was his calling.

Now, suddenly, he did. He decided to launch a campaign for mayor.

“There was nobody that pushed me into it, nobody that told me that this is a pathway I should go,” he said in an interview one recent morning. “But 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.”

Were he to pull an upset in this predominantly Democratic city, Bowman would be the latest family member of a president or vice president to serve in office. That includes the brother of Mike Pence, Trump’s first vice president, elected to Congress during their previous administration. In this case, however, Bowman says his run isn’t tied to national politics as much as a desire to improve the city.

“What I want to run as is I’m somebody that deeply loves Cincinnati," Bowman said. "I do have a background in economics, statistics and administration, and so I can kind of see certain things with the city that we can do better at.”

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, who is seeking reelection, is viewed as a rising star within the Democratic Party. Pureval, 42, is a lawyer and former special assistant U.S. attorney who previously served as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts and ran for Congress. He won the 2021 mayor's race in Ohio's third largest city with nearly 66% of the vote.

Bowman, a Republican, said he chose to run for mayor partly because it was the seat most immediately up for grabs and partly because it bothered him that Pureval was running unopposed. Another GOP candidate — procurement professional Brian Frank, 66 — jumped into the race around that same time for the same reason, setting up a three-way primary next month.

Cincinnati mayoral races are nonpartisan, so the top two vote-getters on May 6 will face each other in November.

“I think it’s fantastic that I’m not running unopposed,” Pureval said, saying he believes it's important for Cincinnati voters to have different visions from which to choose.

He was standing outside the ribbon-cutting on a new apartment complex downtown that had just opened inside the former Macy’s headquarters. It's the type of transformation Pureval cites among his accomplishments, also pointing to the city's growing population and double-digit drop in violent crime.

Bowman moved to Cincinnati around 2020 and did not vote in the last mayor's race. Pureval made an issue of his opponent's relatively short time as a city resident to suggest "he doesn’t necessarily have a track record or a deep commitment to the city, or relationships in that way.”

Bowman grew up on a farm outside Hamilton, about 25 miles (40.23 kilometers) north. He said his family “always considered Cincinnati our home, this area our home, this (Ohio River) valley.”

He said his family bounced back and forth a lot between Ohio and Florida, because their father, Donald Bowman, who died in 2023, was a custom home builder.

Cory Bowman attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he earned a degree in economics and business administration, then returned to Florida to study the ministry at River University in Tampa. It was there that he met his wife, who's from Oklahoma, and "convinced her to love Cincinnati as much as me.”

They moved back and started The River Church Cincinnati, where they are co-pastors, then opened Kings Arms Coffee two years later. Vance, who was born in Middletown, Ohio, had moved back to the state a little earlier. He and his wife, Usha, bought their house in Cincinnati in 2018.

According to Vance’s best-selling memoir, “ Hillbilly Elegy,” Donald Bowman's other children were more or less strangers to him when he was a child. Vance's biological father had given him up for adoption and his mother even changed his name to erase any memory of the man from their lives.

But Cory Bowman says that Vance eventually remedied the situation. When he was 13, he asked to meet Donald Bowman and his younger brother and sister. Cory remembers fondly the future vice president coming to visit and the two of them playing basketball.

They’ve since developed a strong bond, he said, strengthened through going to college in Ohio at around the same time and getting married and becoming parents in tandem. Both have three children — two boys and a girl, ages 7, 5 and 3. Bowman's wife, Jordan, is expecting their fourth child in June.

Vance, 40, is not taking an active role in the campaign. The vice president's office declined to comment on Bowman's run, and Bowman has acknowledged that he does not have Vance's endorsement — at least not yet.

“As far as the relationship with JD, I tell people he’s my brother, he’s not a political counselor to me,” Bowman said. “He is not somebody that planted me here in this city.”

At campaign events and debates, Bowman opposed Cincinnati's sanctuary city status, promised to keep children safe and pledged to improve snow removal and fill potholes.

Cincinnati voter Desiree Terry, 34, said that she wasn't thinking about local government right now because, in her words, “the world is exploding.”

But if she votes in the mayoral race, she'll probably choose Pureval. Asked about supporting a relative of Vance's, Terry said, “It's a no.”

“I just think he’s helping with the chaos and I don’t want chaos locally,” she said. “It's already all around us, but it’s not hitting at home yet, and I feel like if he’s here it’s going to hit home, because it’s already everywhere else, so I’d rather not.”

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, preaches during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

This combo of images shows incumbent Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, from left, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, Sunday, April 20, 2025, and Cincinnati mayoral candidate Brian Frank, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

An image of President Donald Trump is displayed as incumbent Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, left, and Brian Frank participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Cincinnati NAACP, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati mayoral candidate Brian Frank participates in a candidate forum with incumbent Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval hosted by the Cincinnati NAACP, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Incumbent Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval participates in candidate forum with Brian Frank hosted by the Cincinnati NAACP, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Incumbent Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval participates in a candidate forum with Brian Frank hosted by the Cincinnati NAACP, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati mayoral candidate Brian Frank talks with a person in the audience after participating in a candidate forum with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, hosted by the Cincinnati NAACP, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Cincinnati.(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Parishioners stand to worship with Pastor Cory Bowman at River Church Cincinnati's Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. Cory . (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, preaches during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Ronald Lunsford, holds his childern Parker Scroggins, right, and Maleachi Yancey, standing left, as River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, preaches during River Church Cincinnati Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, left, prays with Rebecca Perez during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, preaches during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Children wear easter bunny ears as River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman preaches during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half-brother, is running for Cincinnati Mayor. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cory Bowman, half-brother of Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, top right, is pictured on stage with Vance, left, during the Republican National Convention, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half-brother, from right, speaks with Usha Vance and others on stage during the Republican National Convention, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

River Church Cincinnati founding pastors Cory and Jordan Bowman preach during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. Vice President JD Vance's half-brother Cory Bowman is running for Cincinnati Mayor. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, preaches during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, and RJ Symes, left, pray during Easter morning service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, preaches during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cory Bowman, half-brother of Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, hugs Vance during the Republican National Convention, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, right, prays for healing over Ja'Sani Baltimore, 5, second from right, Kevon Winfield, 6, with Terra Williams during Easter worship service at the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, prays during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cory Bowman, half-brother of Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, from right, is pictured on stage with Usha Vance and JD Vance during the Republican National Convention, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

River Church Cincinnati pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother and Cincinnati mayoral candidate, preaches during Easter worship service in the Hays Porter Elementary School gym Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

It's the tweet that changed everything for Oscar Piastri.

A blunt 48-word message in 2022 paved the way for the Australian driver to lead the current Formula 1 standings with McLaren, rather than struggling to get into the top 10 with Alpine.

“I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year,” Piastri wrote. “This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.”

Nearly three years on from Piastri — who was then Alpine's reserve — snubbing the team for McLaren in such a public way, it's clear he made the right choice.

Piastri has won four of the six races this season and is on a streak of three wins in a row. He has 131 points this year, while Alpine has seven points in total and last won a race nearly four years ago.

Piastri is targeting a fourth consecutive win in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday, but suspects the bumpy Imola track could mean tougher competition for McLaren than two weeks ago in Miami.

“When you’ve won four out of six, it’s been a great start. I’ve been enjoying the success we’ve been having on track, but for me what’s been very satisfying is all the work we’ve done behind the scenes to achieve that,” he said Thursday. “It’s quite a different feeling when you win a race because you feel like you’ve just gotten by or had good circumstances. But to now be winning because we have an incredibly quick car and I feel like I’m driving well, that’s very satisfying.”

Piastri and McLaren had the pace again in Friday’s first practice session as the Australian was fastest by .0032 of a second ahead of teammate and title rival Lando Norris. Carlos Sainz, Jr. was third-fastest for Williams, .020 off Norris’ time. Defending champion Max Verstappen was only seventh-fastest for Red Bull.

The session was stopped with just over two minutes left when Gabriel Bortoleto slid off track and tapped the barrier, leaving his Sauber stuck in the gravel.

Alpine isn't challenging the top teams on pace but it's in pole position for drama.

The Renault-owned team had been expected for months to drop Australian driver Jack Doohan, a rookie, for the fast but inconsistent reserve Franco Colapinto.

At the Miami Grand Prix, team principal Oliver Oakes dismissed that claim, but two days after the Miami race, Oakes suddenly resigned. A day later, Alpine dropped Doohan — whose best race result was 13th — after the Miami Grand Prix and promoted Colapinto.

The Argentine driver, a mid-season replacement at Williams in 2024, is happy to be back in F1 but expressed reservations Thursday about how the whole process has been handled.

Colapinto said it's “never nice circumstances” to get a seat at another driver's expense, and expressed concern his new deal — which only runs for five races — isn't long enough to really show what he can do.

The first of two races in Italy this year is already delighting the home fans.

For the first time since 2021, they have an Italian driver in Mercedes' 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, and Ferrari's red-clad tifosi fans get their first sight of Lewis Hamilton racing for the team on Italian soil.

Piastri, too, has been connecting with his Italian heritage as he met with some “very, very distant relatives” and became an honorary citizen of Licciana Nardi in Tuscany, where his family name originated.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Alpine driver Franco Colapinto of Argentina steers his car during the first free practice at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix, in Imola, Italy, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the first free practice at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix, in Imola, Italy, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia sits in his car during the first free practice at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix, in Imola, Italy, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia walks in the paddock at the Dino and Enzo Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, left, is flaked by his teammate Oscar Piastri of Australia in the paddock at the Dino and Enzo Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia answers reporters during a news conference at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)