Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Aftab Pureval

Discover the career path of Aftab Pureval, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Aftab Pureval is an American attorney and politician who currently serves as the 70th mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, since January 4, 2022. He won the 2021 Cincinnati mayoral election with 65.8% of the vote, making him the first Asian American to hold that office. Prior to becoming mayor, Pureval was a candidate for Ohio's 1st congressional district in 2018. His election as mayor marks a significant milestone in Cincinnati's history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2001: Enrollment at Ohio State University

In 2001, Aftab Pureval enrolled at Ohio State University and began as an intern for the Undergraduate Student Government (USG).

2005: Enrollment at University of Cincinnati College of Law

In 2005, Aftab Pureval enrolled at University of Cincinnati College of Law, and started working at the Warren County Domestic Relations Court.

2005: Graduation from Ohio State University

In Spring 2005, Aftab Pureval graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.

September 2008: Started as an associate at White & Case LLP

In September 2008, Aftab Pureval moved to Washington, D.C., to start as an associate at White & Case LLP, where he worked for four years in the area of anti-trust litigation.

2008: Juris Doctor Degree

In 2008, Aftab Pureval earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

September 2012: Returned to Hamilton County, Ohio, to work as a special assistant

In September 2012, Aftab Pureval returned to Hamilton County, Ohio, to work as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the United States Department of Justice.

November 2013: Started as legal counsel for Procter & Gamble

In November 2013, Aftab Pureval started as legal counsel for Procter & Gamble.

October 2015: Announced candidacy for clerk of courts

In October 2015, Aftab Pureval announced his candidacy for the position of clerk of courts for Hamilton County, Ohio.

November 8, 2016: Elected as clerk of courts

On November 8, 2016, Aftab Pureval was elected as clerk of courts, beating Winkler by a margin of 18,673 votes.

January 3, 2017: Took office as clerk of courts

On January 3, 2017, Aftab Pureval officially took office as clerk of courts and immediately began reforms and reductions to the office.

May 2017: Relaunched the clerk of courts website

In May 2017, Aftab Pureval's office relaunched the clerk of courts website, adding support for mobile devices.

July 2017: Announced new policies for office workers

In July 2017, Aftab Pureval announced new policies for his office's workers, including a minimum wage of $16 per hour, paid leave for family care, and protections against discrimination for LGBTQ workers. He also established a help center staffed by volunteers from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

January 2018: Recruited by DCCC to run against Chabot and announcement of candidacy

In January 2018, Aftab Pureval was recruited by the DCCC to run against Chabot in the 2018 election and he officially announced his candidacy via a press conference on January 31.

2018: Candidacy for Ohio's 1st Congressional District

In 2018, Aftab Pureval was a candidate for Ohio's 1st congressional district.

2018: Campaign fundraising, endorsement, rating revision, and endorsement by Obama

In 2018, Aftab Pureval's campaign raised $664,347 in the first quarter, became the Democratic candidate for Ohio's first district on May 8, was endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign on May 11, had the district rating revised to a toss-up on July 24 by Sabato's Crystal Ball, and was endorsed by former president Barack Obama on August 1.

2018: Clerk of courts campaign account and Election loss

In 2018, questions were raised about Aftab Pureval's use of funds from his clerk of courts campaign account. He lost the election to Chabot, earning 46.4% of the vote.

2018: Targeted by DCCC for OH-01

In 2018, the DCCC was reportedly targeting Ohio's 1st congressional district (OH-01) as a potentially flippable district, with Aftab Pureval as a potential candidate.

November 3, 2020: Re-elected as clerk of courts

On November 3, 2020, Aftab Pureval was re-elected as the clerk of courts, winning 57.3% of the vote.

January 14, 2021: Announcement of Mayoral Candidacy

On January 14, 2021, Aftab Pureval announced his candidacy for the 2021 Cincinnati mayoral election.

May 4, 2021: Top vote getter

On May 4, 2021, Aftab Pureval was the top vote getter with 39% of the votes in a field of six candidates in the primary election.

November 2, 2021: Election as Mayor of Cincinnati

On November 2, 2021, Aftab Pureval was elected as mayor of Cincinnati with 65.8% of the vote, becoming the first Asian American to hold the position.

January 4, 2022: Inauguration as Mayor of Cincinnati

On January 4, 2022, Aftab Pureval assumed office as the 70th mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio.

February 2022: Affordable housing plan

In February 2022, Aftab Pureval and the city council announced a plan to add $5 million and $1 million per year to a fund for affordable housing.

March 2022: Transgender flag raised at Cincinnati's city hall

In March 2022, Cincinnati's city hall raised the transgender flag for the first time.

January 2025: Announced intention to run for re-election

In January 2025, Aftab Pureval announced his intention to run for re-election in the 2025 Cincinnati mayoral election.

May 6, 2025: Won primary election

On May 6, 2025, Aftab Pureval won the primary election with over 82% of the vote.

November 4, 2025: Runoff election

On November 4, 2025, Aftab Pureval will face Cory Bowman in the runoff election.

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