Meet the Mayor
Mayor Aftab Pureval
Aftab Pureval is the 70th Mayor of Cincinnati. He was raised in Southwest, Ohio, the son of first-generation Americans. He is making history as Cincinnati’s first Asian American Mayor. As Mayor, he is committed to serving Cincinnati's 52 neighborhoods. He has made equitable economic growth a top priority of his administration, as well as a comprehensive reform and improvement of public safety, affordable housing, and environmental action.
He served as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts from 2016 to 2021 and was the first Democrat to hold this office in over 100 years. During his tenure, he brought modern and professional reforms to the Clerk’s office. He paid a living wage to all employees and became the first county officeholder in Ohio to offer comprehensive paid family leave. By ending nepotism, by cutting waste, and by making the office more professional, he saved taxpayers millions of dollars.
Mayor Aftab graduated from The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati for law school. He resides in Clifton with his wife, Whitney, and their sons, Bodhi and Rami.
Download the Mayor's Pre-approved Bio Here
Affordable Housing Plan
Mayor Aftab is committed to ensure that both longtime Cincinnatians and new residents have access to safe, quality, and affordable housing. Those who work in Cincinnati should be able to afford to live in Cincinnati. The city has enjoyed growth due its economic dynamism and strong quality of life but has not been able to keep up with the growing demand for housing. Mayor Aftab calls to build more housing, while maintaining the city's current affordable housing, and close this gap so that people can afford to live close to where they work and play.
Mayor Aftab's administration will take strides to:
- Reform Cincinnati’s zoning code so zoning practices do not impede affordable housing
- Partner with developers and landlords to incentivize and expand affordable housing stock
- Assist tenants facing eviction and help homeowners remain in their homes
- Explore and create programs helping low- and moderate-income Cincinnatians achieve home ownership
Cincinnati Environmental Plan
As the state, national and international communities work to tackle the effects of climate change, it is important that Cincinnati takes action to secure a sustainable future for all our residents. The challenges of climate change present an opportunity—to build a new economy around clean energy and green technologies, creating thousands of new jobs and invigorating our city while putting the environment first. Cincinnati is well-positioned to be a leader, domestically and abroad, on climate change. With decisive action, strong leadership, and creative solutions, Mayor Aftab can continue the progress we’ve already made and be not just a climate change haven, but a climate change role model for cities around the world.
Mayor Aftab's administration will take strides to:
- Reduce emissions and tackling climate change head on, conserving Cincinnati’s natural resources and public lands
- Grow the green energy economy and create new job
- Ensure environmental equity and environmental justice for all
- Keep Cincinnati clean
One Cincinnati Economic Recovery Plan
Cincinnati, and Cincinnatians, are resilient. While the pandemic is not yet over, there is more work to do to recover and put Cincinnati back on its feet. That means providing more relief for struggling families, investing in Cincinnati's workforce—including those still struggling to find employment—and investing in small businesses to get them up and running again. After years of decline, the city's population is going up; new developments have created a vibrant arts and dining scene; new businesses have opened, and old businesses have grown. The Mayor's administration will build on those successes, by giving small businesses the tools they need to succeed, spurring new investments, and creating a world-class workforce ready to move Cincinnati forward.
Cincinnati Criminal Justice Plan
The Mayor's goal is to ensure that every child is able to grow up free of violence; that every family is able to thrive in a safe and secure community; that every parent is able to go to sleep free of worry for their children’s safety. While creating a safer Cincinnati, Mayor Aftab will work tirelessly to expand access to justice and to create a criminal justice system that is built to serve and protect—not punish or neglect. Society simply cannot be safer, more equitable, and more prosperous until it is safer, more equitable, and more prosperous for all.
Mayor Aftab's administration will take strides to:
- Prioritize public safety so that all Cincinnatians can live free of fear
- Create a fairer, more just society for all