Why Did JD Vance’s Brother Ditch His Own Debate?
Cincinnati Skyline from Devou Park. Photo by Ynsalh under CC BY-SA 4.0.
It was supposed to be one of the last big moments before the primary — a mayoral debate hosted by the NAACP, just weeks before Cincinnati voters headed to the polls. But when cameras turned on and the questions started flying, Cory Bowman — a Republican, first-time candidate, and half-brother to U.S. Vice President JD Vance — was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, he was in Florida, posing for a smiling photo next to a conservative influencer with millions of followers. His caption, according to Politico? "Big things ahead!"
A No-Show That Got Everyone Talking
Bowman, a pastor and coffee shop owner, is no political heavyweight. His name recognition largely comes from his family connection, and his presence in the race surprised many in a city that hasn't elected a Republican mayor in over five decades.
But the real surprise came when he decided to skip the second and final mayoral debate — and then shared a selfie from Fort Lauderdale the day before, standing beside entrepreneur and podcaster Patrick Bet-David.
For many local voters, this was a turning point. It wasn't just about being absent — it was about priorities.
"He told us he had a scheduling conflict, so that's all I can go with. Everybody has something else to do," David Whitehead, president of Cincinnati's NAACP chapter, told Politico. "In my opinion, you do what you feel is important."
Bowman's critics say the choice was clear — and revealing.
Cincinnati or Cable News?
In the days after the skipped debate, Bowman popped up not at neighborhood forums or door-to-door canvasses, but on right-leaning media outlets. He appeared on Newsmax, sat for a spot with "Real America's Voice," and earned glowing headlines from the conservative Washington Examiner and Epoch Times.
It's a curious strategy for a candidate vying to lead a deep-blue city like Cincinnati. The mayor's race is nonpartisan, but the city's politics lean overwhelmingly Democratic — and Bowman's appearances on MAGA-friendly media have fueled speculation that this campaign may be more about platform-building than pothole-fixing.
University of Cincinnati political scientist David Niven, speaking to Politico, said, "You know the phrase impulse shopping? This is impulse campaigning. I think Cory Bowman came to the conclusion he wanted to run for something, and he picked literally the first thing that he saw. As a Republican in Ohio, if he'd run for almost anything else, he’d be a potent candidate, but not as a mayor of Cincinnati. I do think this could be another win by losing scenario."
Win by Losing?
For those familiar with political theater, Bowman's run follows a familiar script — someone closely related to a powerful figure throws their name on the ballot, garners press coverage, builds a following, and becomes a fixture in the broader movement — even if they lose.
This has happened before. Billy Carter, Roger Clinton, even Greg Pence, brother to former Vice President Mike Pence, all rode sibling spotlight to varying degrees of notoriety or office. For Bowman, it might be less about winning Cincinnati and more about becoming a recognizable face in conservative circles.
And it might be working — at least from a branding perspective.
Despite raising only about $13,500 and knocking on just a handful of doors, Bowman advanced past the city's primary election.
He placed a distant second behind Democratic incumbent Aftab Pureval, who secured about 83% of the vote to Bowman's 13%, according to BBC.
But second is all he needed in a nonpartisan primary to advance to the November runoff.
City Hall or Bigger Goals?
According to Politico, Bowman says he wants to "Flip the 'Nati," but his media strategy suggests he's more focused on flipping his own profile from obscurity to Fox News-friendly.
Bowman often distances himself from JD Vance in public comments but also credits his brother as an inspiration. And as national outlets continue to take interest, Bowman's local campaign feels more like a stage for something else entirely — a test run, perhaps, for higher ambitions.
The November election is likely to return Pureval to City Hall with a comfortable margin. But Bowman's name — and face — may not disappear. Whether he ends up in another race, on a podcast, or back in the pulpit, he's now part of a new class of candidates who don't need to win to walk away with something.
Sometimes, the campaign is the victory.
References: JD Vance's Little Brother Tries His Hand at Politics. It's Not Going So Well. | JD Vance's Half-Brother Advances in Cincinnati Mayoral Primary | JD Vance's Brother Advances in Run for Cincinnati Mayor | Infrastructure, Public Safety and a Gondola: Republicans Look to Unseat Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval | AP Decision Notes: What to Expect in Ohio's Primary and Special Election
