Cincinnati mayoral elections facts for kids
The mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, is chosen in a special election that is separate from the City Council election. This election is "nonpartisan," which means candidates don't officially run as a Republican or Democrat. Before 2001, the person who got the most votes in the City Council election would become mayor. Now, candidates for mayor are first chosen in an "open primary" election.
Becoming Mayor of Cincinnati
A mayor is the leader of a city government. In Cincinnati, the mayor helps make important decisions for the city and its people. They work with the City Council to manage things like public safety, parks, and city services.
How Elections Work
To become mayor of Cincinnati, candidates go through a two-step process: a primary election and then a general election. This system helps voters choose the best person for the job.
Primary Elections
A primary election is like a first round of voting. In Cincinnati, anyone who wants to run for mayor can enter this election. Voters choose their favorite candidate, no matter which political party they might usually support. The top two candidates who get the most votes in the primary then move on to the general election.
Italic type indicates someone who was already in office.
| Date | Winning Candidates | Losing Candidates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Courtis Fuller (Charter): 17,091 Charles J. Luken (Democrat): 12,077 |
Bill Brodberger (independent): 1,763 Michael Riley (independent): 651 |
General Elections
After the primary, the two candidates who received the most votes face each other in the general election. This is the final vote where citizens choose who will be their mayor. The person who gets the most votes in the general election wins and becomes the new mayor of Cincinnati.
Bold type indicates the winner. Italic type indicates someone who was already in office.
| Date | Democratic Candidate | Republican Candidate | Charterite Candidate | Other Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | John Cranley: 33,428 | Roxanne Qualls (Democrat): 24,288 | ||
| 2009 | Mark Mallory: 38,645 | Brad Wenstrup: 32,424 | Tom Chandler: 51 | |
| 2005 | Mark Mallory: 36,200 | David Pepper (Democrat): 33,664 | ||
| 2001 | Charlie Luken: 47,755 | Courtis Fuller: 38,494 |
