Jan-Michele Kearney

Jan-Michelle Lemon Kearney Kearney was educated in the Cincinnati Public Schools, She attended elementary school at Rockdale Elementary School,

Kearney was also previously a co-host on the WLWT programs "Issues" and "Let’s Talk Cincinnati". She helped found the Greater Cincinnati Association of Black Journalists (aa local chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists), and co-chaired the National Newspaper Publishers Association's 2019 national convention. She received 28,672 votes, 1,676 more than the second-place candidate, Greg Landsman (a Democrat who had been on the council since 2017). This was regarded to have been a surprise, as Landsman's longer incumbency had led many to expect him to receive the more vote than Kearney.

Vice mayoralty (2022–present) In November 2021, Aftab Pureval (the mayor-elect) announced that he would be appointing Kearney to serve as Vice Mayor at the start of his term. The city's vice mayor (appointed by a mayor) substitutes in fulfilling mayoral duties when a mayor cannot perform them, including when a mayor is out of town or incapacitated.

Kearney was re-elected to the council in 2023, again placing first among candidates in the at-large election.

In October 2024, Kearney disclosed that she would not be a candidate for mayor in 2025. She announced she was instead seeking another term on the council.

Other work Kearney has served on the board of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Personal life Kearney is married to Eric Kearney, a former member of the Ohio Senate. They have two children.