Cincinnati is in crisis. Vice President J.D. Vance's half-brother believes he can fix it.

In the wake of a shocking assault that grabbed national attention, Cory Bowman, 36, is pledging to bring back law-and-order if elected as the Ohio city's first Republican mayor in over 50 years.

As it happens, Bowman lives just six blocks from where a white couple was savagely beaten in downtown Cincinnati last month. Six people have been charged so far in the attack.

City in crisis

One of the suspects had been recently let out of jail on $400 bail for other serious crimes, Bowman noted to the Daily Mail.

"Obviously we don't want to see it, it's shocking, it's horrifying," Bowman said. "The last six months I've been sent videos of people evading shots on the streets, and people being attacked."

The city's police chief, Teresa Theetge, downplayed the assault and is facing a lawsuit over anti-white discrimination in her department.

Bowman says the city is suffering under incompetent leaders who coddle criminals and leave streets in disrepair.

Cops who come into his coffee shop say they do not feel supported and are afraid to do their jobs.

"Cops have got to be able to know that they can do their job, and the court system we have to put pressure on for harsher sentences," Bowman said.

"Criminals can't walk around with their chest out knowing that they can just break the law and get away with it. We have to have a proper police force."

Incompetent leaders

While crime is the biggest concern, the city is poorly managed in general, Bowman said. There was a whole week last winter when the city went without snow being plowed.

Bowman, the first Republican to run for mayor since 2009, came in a distant second in a non-partisan primary in May, receiving 12% of the vote compared to 82% for incumbent Democrat Aftab Pureval. The two will face off again in November.

"I realized nobody is stepping up, I realized I had to be the one to do it. This is our fight for Cincinnati, and it's not based on red or blue issues," Bowman said.

The Christian pastor, father of four and coffee shop owner says he was inspired to run after seeing his half-brother get sworn in. The vice president gave a shoutout to Bowman earlier this year.

"Hey Cincinnati! My brother Cory Bowman is running for mayor and is on the ballot today for the primary. He’s a good guy with a heart for serving his community. Get out there and vote for him!"