WCPO: Cincinnati’s new mayor, council could be opportunity for city
Political scientist David Niven gives advice to incoming city leaders
On Tuesday, Jan. 4, Cincinnati’s incoming Mayor Aftab Pureval and nine city council members were sworn in, outside at downtown Cincinnati’s Washington Park.
This is the first time Aftab Pureval has held the mayoral seat and six of the nine council members are new to their positions.
UC political scientist David Niven told WCPO that there are advantages to having fresh faces and ideas in the city’s administration and council.
One of the first things that should be done, Niven says is that there should be a show of appreciation for the teamwork it takes to run a city, that the mayor should publicly show appreciation for the council and the council should do the same for the mayor.
“If they are not feuding over who gets the credit then they can build on the best of the ideas that come out of the mayor’s office and the best ideas that come out of council,” Niven says.
Niven is an associate professor in UC’s Department of Political science and teaches American politics and conducts research on campaigns, political communication and death penalty policy.
Featured photo at top of Cincinnati City Hall: Owsley
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
‘Designer drug’ shows early neuroprotective signal in acute ischemic stroke
October 28, 2025
Medscape highlighted new trial results led by the University of Cincinnati's Eva Mistry that found an experimental drug shows promise in protecting injured brain cells for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Is menstrual fluid ‘the most overlooked opportunity’ in women’s health?
October 27, 2025
The Guardian recently reported that period blood has long been thought of as ‘stinky and useless’, but startups are exploring using the fluid to test for a wide range of health conditions — including endometriosis.
What is squalane, and how does it work to moisturize skin?
October 27, 2025
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos was featured in a Women's Health article discussing squalane, an ingredient being increasingly used in moisturizing skincare products.