Who is Aftab Pureval? Indian-origin mayor wins re-election in Cincinnati

According to the Associated Press, Pureval garnered nearly 80% of the vote in both the May primary and the November general election, signalling strong public approval of his leadership. Although the Cincinnati mayoral race is officially nonpartisan, Pureval is known to be aligned with the Democratic Party.

Born on September 9, 1982, in Ohio, Pureval is the son of immigrant parents - his father, Devinder Singh Pureval, is Punjabi, and his mother, Drenko, is Tibetan. When he was four, the family moved to Beavercreek, Ohio.

According to the official site, Pureval’s parents chose his name with great significance. “Aftab” is derived from an old Persian word meaning “sunshine,” symbolising hope in their new American life.