Council members focusing on safety and affordability in new term

Notes

Cincinnati City Council members were sworn in Tuesday to begin their 2026-2028 term. The ceremony took place at Music Hall at 1241 Elm St. in Over-the-Rhine.

Each member was sworn in with an oath, delivered by a designee of their choice. Some chose family members, others chose community members.

Mayor Aftab Pureval

Aftab Pureval, who is serving his second term as mayor, was sworn in by Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Pavann Parikh. Before becoming mayor, Pureval also served as the county clerk of courts.

Pureval said it has been the honor of his life to serve as the city’s mayor. He thanked his family first and called upon council members to do what’s right instead of focusing on politics.

“I ask us again to rise with momentum at our back and uncertainty on the horizon. We must rise to chart an ambitious design for our future to be more focused on what’s right for Cincinnati in the generations to come rather than what’s politically expedient,” he said.

He said public safety and housing affordability will be priorities. He cited the Affordable Housing Trust Fund the city is working to establish. Also, in the next 60 days, the city is proposing an earning tax increase. The revenue would go toward public safety.

 “Juvenile gun violence is a crisis, and it must be met with a bold response,” Pureval said.

Anna Albi

Anna Albi was sworn in for her second term by her mother, Joy Albi. 

She started her remarks by honoring the 11-year-old who was killed by gunfire in the West End last week. She said she is heartbroken for the community and is furious that they live in a country where gun lobbying is allowing easy access to firearms.

She said fighting poverty will be a top priority. She cited the recent initiative by the city to forgive $220 million in medical debt for approximately 100,000 Cincinnatians last year The city also established a child savings account for 150 school-aged children for over $500 each. 

A project she is excited about for her first term is providing 200 families $100 a month to spend on groceries.

“This past year has had some difficult moments, both locally and at the federal level, and I expect 2026 will be just as action-packed, but I challenge myself and my colleagues to remain steadfast in our commitment to make the hard decisions to bolster a stronger, safer Cincinnati,” Albi said.

Jeff Cramerding

Jeff Cramerding was sworn in for his second term by Cincinnati Regional Chamber President Brendon Cull.

Cramerding said he would keep his remarks brief. He challenged his colleagues to work together this term.

“We, even though we’re all in the same party, do disagree. We disagree civilly, but we come back together and work in the best interest of the city.”

Ryan James

Ryan James is the only new council member. All eight others are incumbents. He was sworn in by his mother, Gisele James.

He thanked his family, friends and partner for helping him during the campaign. They knocked on 10,000 doors to get the word out.

“When I asked you all to go on this journey with me and I promised you it’d be an easy ride, I was wrong, but thank you for being my backbone,” he said.

He wants to advocate for people who often don’t have a voice. He said he aims to fight for lower utility bills, better transportation and access to child care, among other issues.

Mark Jeffreys

Mark Jeffreys was sworn in for his second term by Judge Dante Johnson.

He wants to continue his focus on public safety as well as housing affordability.

Crime is down, he said, “but it is shattering lives and shattering dreams.”

Public safety is about more than crime. He said 500 to 1,000 children per year are poisoned by lead paint exposure in the city. He wants to ensure blight is removed from buildings to make them safer.

“We must stop using our children as lead paint detectors,” he said.

Regarding transportation, he wants to push for Amtrak at the state level and ensure local transit connects to regional job centers. 

Scotty Johnson

Sccotty Johnson was sworn in for his third term by his brother, Bobby Johnson. 

He said he has always done his best to put people over politics and aims to continue that work in his third term.

“We’re on the right track in Cincinnati despite the voices on the outside. … We have work to do, but I can say, I know the hearts of these people who are trying to serve you,” he said.

Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney

Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney was sworn in by her husband, Eric Kearney.

She said she aims to combat poverty this term.

“We are still a tale of two cities. We still have a case where your ZIP code determines your lifespan — sometimes by 20 years,” she said.

Poverty rates are too high in the city, she said. The Financial Freedom Blueprint erased medical debt for more than a third of the city’s population, and she wants that momentum to continue into her term.

Evan Nolan

Evan Nolan was elected for the first time, as he was appointed by the mayor during his last term. He was sworn in by his father Gregory M. Nolan. He thanked his wife and his family for standing beside him during his first campaign.

He cited public safety and housing affordability as priorities.

Seth Walsh

Seth Walsh was previously appointed to council, but 2025 marked his first election win. He was sworn in by Judge Jody Luebbers. 

Under his leadership at College Hill Redevelopment Corp., the neighborhood saw $85 million in redevelopment. He wants to continue that in this term.

Like his colleagues, he pointed to public safety, housing affordability as priorities.

These notes can also be viewed on the Documenters webpage.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Find more Documenters’ notes on Cincinnati City Council here.