The mayor of Cincinnati is recognized as the official head and representative of the city for all purposes.

The current mayor is Aftab Pureval, who was elected on November 2, 2021, and took office at noon on January 4, 2022.

In time of public danger or emergency, the mayor, with the consent of the council, may take command of the police, maintain order and enforce the law.

In 1971, a coalition of two parties, the Democrats and the Charterites, worked out a power-sharing plan, which, starting in 1973, resulted in a rotating mayorship.

After a few years of rotation, they decided that the city council member who received the most votes in the election would automatically become mayor.