Pureval to run for Cincy mayor CINCINNATI (AP) — A Democrat who attracted national attention in 2018 with a spirited challenge to a veteran Republican congressman Thursday joined a crowded field for this year’s Cincinnati mayoral race. Aftab Pureval is among a dozen or so people who have either announced for or said they are considering runs to succeed Democrat John Cranley, who is term-limited from running this year after two four-year terms. Pureval unseated the incumbent Republican Hamilton County clerk of courts in 2016 in a major local upset and won re-election last year. Pureval, now 38, lost to Republican Steve Chabot, who in 2020 was elected to his 13th term. Chabot beat Pureval in 2018 with 51% of the vote.