Rise to Success: Career Highlights of P.G. Sittenfeld

How P.G. Sittenfeld built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Alexander Paul George Sittenfeld is an American politician who served on the Cincinnati City Council from 2011 to 2020. He was convicted on federal bribery and attempted extortion charges in 2022 following an FBI investigation. After his appeal was rejected, he received a pardon from President Donald Trump in May 2025.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

December 1, 2011: Sworn into Cincinnati City Council

On December 1, 2011, P.G. Sittenfeld was officially sworn into office as a member of the Cincinnati City Council.

2011: Elected to Cincinnati City Council

In 2011, P.G. Sittenfeld was elected to the Cincinnati City Council.

2013: Re-elected to Cincinnati City Council

In 2013, P.G. Sittenfeld was re-elected to the Cincinnati City Council, receiving the most votes among the candidates.

January 2015: Announcement of U.S. Senate Bid

In January 2015, P.G. Sittenfeld announced his candidacy for Ohio's U.S. Senate seat for the 2016 election.

January 22, 2015: Announcement of U.S. Senate Candidacy

On January 22, 2015, P.G. Sittenfeld formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat.

January 28, 2016: Proposed Amendment for Gun Control

On January 28, 2016, P.G. Sittenfeld proposed an amendment to the Ohio legislature to restore home-rule authority on gun control, allowing city governments to enact their own gun control laws.

March 15, 2016: Loss in Senate Democratic Primary

On March 15, 2016, P.G. Sittenfeld lost the Senate Democratic primary election to former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.

2017: Re-elected to Cincinnati City Council

In 2017, P.G. Sittenfeld was re-elected to the Cincinnati City Council for a consecutive term, again receiving the most votes among the candidates.

2017: Effort to Establish Pedestrian Safety Funding

In 2017, P.G. Sittenfeld, along with Chris Seelbach, began an effort to establish an annual budget commitment for city-wide pedestrian safety improvements.

November 2018: Work to Keep Over-the-Rhine Senior Center Open

In November 2018, P.G. Sittenfeld collaborated with various organizations to allocate city funding to prevent the closure of the Over-the-Rhine Senior Center.

November 2018: Voters approve charter amendment for regional transit funding

In November 2018, voters approved P.G. Sittenfeld's charter amendment with 75% support, allowing a regional funding mechanism for the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority's Metro bus system.

January 2019: Advocacy for Senior Citizen Services Funding

In January 2019, P.G. Sittenfeld advocated for incorporating resources for senior citizen services in the city's human services budget, which was subsequently approved.

April 2019: Introduced legislation opposing abortion ban

In April 2019, P.G. Sittenfeld introduced legislation requiring Cincinnati's law department to file an amicus curae brief opposing Ohio Senate Bill 23, which would ban abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat.

2019: Sponsorship of bus-only lane legislation

In 2019, P.G. Sittenfeld sponsored legislation creating Cincinnati's first-ever bus-only lane to improve travel times and reduce congestion.

2019: Sponsored legislation ending cash bail requests

In 2019, P.G. Sittenfeld sponsored legislation ending the City of Cincinnati Law Department's policy of requesting cash bail for defendants.

2019: Pedestrian safety improvements funded

In 2019, pedestrian safety improvement allocations funded 70 projects like enhanced lighting, crosswalks, and street 'bump-outs'.

July 12, 2020: Announcement of Mayoral Run and Subsequent Withdrawal

On July 12, 2020, P.G. Sittenfeld announced his candidacy for the 2021 Cincinnati mayoral election but withdrew following his arrest.

2020: Sponsored "renter's choice" legislation

In 2020, P.G. Sittenfeld sponsored the first "renter's choice" legislation in the United States, allowing apartment tenants alternatives to cash security deposits.

2020: End of City Council Term

In 2020, P.G. Sittenfeld's service on the Cincinnati City Council concluded.

2020: Legislation for citations instead of arrests

In 2020, P.G. Sittenfeld, along with councilmember Greg Landsman, introduced legislation to move toward issuing citations instead of arrests for low-level offenses.

2021: Did Not Run for Re-election

In 2021, P.G. Sittenfeld did not run for re-election to the City Council.

2021: Mayoral Election

In 2021, P.G. Sittenfeld planned to participate in the Cincinnati mayoral election to succeed John Cranley, but his candidacy was impacted by other events.

2021: Withdrawal from Mayoral Race

In 2021, P.G. Sittenfeld withdrew from the Cincinnati mayoral election after being arrested on corruption charges.

2026: "Finding Community in Prison" opinion piece published

In 2026, P.G. Sittenfeld's opinion piece, "Finding Community in Prison," was published in The New York Times, detailing his experiences and observations while incarcerated.