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Cory Bowman took center stage in New York City on Thursday, August 21, with a fundraiser near Rockefeller Center that drew media leaders, faith voices, and business figures tied to Cincinnati’s economy.
The event underscored Bowman’s strategy of evangelizing for Cincinnati on a national stage, even as public safety and turnout questions loom large back home.
A Room Full of Connections
The fundraiser featured a mix of media executives, a Nobel-nominated physician, faith leaders, former law enforcement officers, and New York business leaders who actively do business with Cincinnati’s largest employers, including Procter & Gamble, GE Aircraft, and Kroger.
The evening opened with remarks from Janice Trey, Chairman of the Board of The Epoch Times, who praised Bowman as “an honest man with integrity.”
Frank Shelton, a former congressional staffer and evangelist, also spoke, stressing the importance of conviction and service in leadership.
Bowman then highlighted his priorities: public safety, accountability at City Hall, and economic revitalization. He framed his campaign as not just about local politics but about “evangelizing for Cincinnati” to bring investment and jobs.
Afterward, Bowman and his team met with a media firm specializing in emerging technologies — another sign of his effort to link Cincinnati with national opportunity.
Cory Bowman on the National Stage
Earlier in the day, Bowman appeared on NTD News, where he argued that even in a traditionally Democratic city, voters want safer streets and stronger leadership.
This media appearance, paired with the New York fundraiser, showed Bowman broadening his campaign’s profile while connecting Cincinnati to larger networks of influence.
Crime in Cincinnati Shapes 2025 Mayoral Election
Back in Ohio, crime has become the defining issue of the Cincinnati mayoral election 2025.
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A viral downtown brawl in late July injured six and reignited concerns about safety. One victim later revealed a serious brain injury.
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While violent crime overall has declined citywide, neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine and downtown have seen increases in assaults, thefts, and weapons-related incidents.
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In response, Mayor Aftab Pureval and Police Chief Teresa Theetge announced new measures: youth curfews, expanded patrols, drones, and more cameras.
Even so, state leaders have stepped in. Governor Mike DeWine deployed state highway patrol and surveillance resources, while Senator Bernie Moreno gave city leaders a 30-day deadline to present a credible safety plan.
Cincinnati Election Turnout: 2025 Challenges for Cory Bowman
Election math shows Bowman’s uphill climb:
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In the May 2025 primary, Pureval captured over 82% of the vote while Bowman received just under 13%.
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Turnout was historically low at about 8% of registered voters.
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In past cycles, Democrats benefited from higher turnout. In 2024, the Issue 1 abortion rights amendment brought thousands more to the polls, helping Democrats dominate local races.
This year, however, there is no presidential race and no major ballot initiative to drive turnout. Analysts say that absence could make the electorate smaller and less predictable — a factor Bowman hopes will work in his favor.
What’s Next for Cory Bowman?
From New York City to Cincinnati, Cory Bowman’s Cincinnati mayoral election 2025 campaign is positioning him as both a challenger to City Hall and an ambassador for the city’s future. With strong endorsements from Janice Trey and Frank Shelton, connections to business leaders tied to Cincinnati’s largest employers, and a campaign centered on crime and accountability, Bowman is betting voters are ready for change.
Whether that momentum can overcome the city’s entrenched voting patterns remains uncertain. What is clear is that crime, turnout, and leadership credibility will define Cincinnati’s mayoral election this November.
