Meeka Owens is emerging as a City Council leader, but no, she's not running for mayor

The 2025 Cincinnati mayor's race is more than a year away, but no candidate has announced a challenge to Mayor Aftab Pureval, prompting rumors about who might run.

Among those names? Cincinnati City Councilwoman Meeka Owens, who in her more than two years on council has made a name for herself, taking on issues like the plan to preserve land in Queensgate and the controversial motion on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Owens debunked that rumor on The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast, saying "Oh my goodness. Running against our current mayor? Absolutely not."

Owens noted she has worked with Pureval since 2016, serving as the office's social responsibility officer when Pureval was Hamilton County Clerk of Courts office. In that role Owens focused on employee engagement and created an internship program.

"It's an amazing partnership to continue from the county to the city," Owens said. "So I am happy that we get to spend time together and do really great things."

Owens placed second in the 2023 field race of nine for Cincinnati City Council. Members can run for four, two-year terms. But to run for mayor, a council member cannot also run for council, per city election rules.

"I wake up every day thinking if I can make an impact," Owens said. "I am here to do that. And so, as long as the voters continue to have me in this role I am willing to continue to serve. There's so much work to do."

About Meeka Owens

Age: 45.

Neighborhood: North Avondale.

Miss last week's episode? No problem. Listen here. Follow Cincinnati.com editor Beryl Love on X @beryllove and City Hall reporter Sharon Coolidge @SharonCoolidge.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati City Councilwoman Meeka Owens won't run for mayor