Joins innovative group of Democratic state and local officials working to solve America’s challenges.
By Ben Moore
Leader Engagement Director
The NewDEAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval was selected as one of 22 leaders from across the country to join the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of state and local elected officials with honorary co-chairs U.S. Senator Chris Coons and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland.
Members of the network were chosen from more than 1,900 nominations over NewDEAL’s 12 years and are united by their work to enact pro-growth progressive solutions across their diverse array of communities.
Pureval joins the group at a time when state and local leaders are on the frontlines of responding to economic issues around the cost of living and the changing nature of work, as well as challenges caused by climate change, racial inequities and threats to our democracy.
At a moment when unprecedented federal resources are flowing to states, counties and cities from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, NewDEALers are supporting each other in thinking big and sharing model policies and programs, including through in-person and virtual convenings. In one effort, NewDEAL has released an ARPA impact report highlighting some of the innovative ways members of the network have used federal funding to transform their communities. NewDEALers also led a working group that released “Democracy Playbook,” featuring actionable steps elected officials across all levels of state and local government can take to strengthen elections. NewDEAL Leaders’ work also contributed to reports of policy recommendations on education, climate change, broadband and the future of work.
NewDEALers’ next major convening will take place at the 2023 Spring Ideas Summit, May 15-16 in Detroit, where about 50 members will join other innovators from the public and private sectors to discuss a forward-looking agenda for state and local Democrats to address the biggest challenges facing our country, including housing, education, climate change and threats to our democracy.
Pureval was selected to join NewDEAL because of his dedication to equitable economic growth, comprehensive public safety reform, and affordable housing initiatives. One of Pureval’s key initiatives as mayor is prioritizing environmental action through policies like the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan. Pureval made history as Cincinnati’s first Asian American mayor and, during his tenure as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, modernized and professionalized the clerk’s office, including implementation of living wages and paid family leave for employees.
NewDEAL leaders have found broad support for their work across red, blue and purple states and cities, with more than 20 rising to higher office in the past few years.
Throughout the organization’s history, more than one in four NewDEAL leaders moved to higher office. These leaders include members of Congress, such as Marilyn Strickland in Washington, Brittany Pettersen in Colorado and Jennifer McClellan in Virginia; Governor Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania; and new mayors in cities from San Jose, California, to Stamford, Connecticut.
“We are in a vitally important moment for state and local leaders as we work to channel transformational levels of federal aid while grappling with the challenges that will continue to affect the economic security of Cincinnati for decades to come,” said Pureval. “I look forward to sharing lessons with and learning from other leaders who are setting the standard for effective governance, and I am excited to be part of NewDEAL’s efforts to expand opportunities for Americans in communities nationwide.”
The NewDEAL brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly earned and sustainable. Most importantly, the organization facilitates the exchange of ideas among its members and connects them with other pro-growth progressive political, policy and private sector leaders.
NewDEAL alumni have included Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, Jason Kander, Alex Padilla, Ben McAdams and more.
This announcement brings the total number of NewDEAL members – statewide officials, legislators, mayors, councilmembers, and other local leaders – to 191 leaders from 49 states.
Learn more about Pureval and the NewDEAL at http://www.newdealleaders.org/leaders.
