Emilia Sykes

Last updated

Emilia Sykes
Rep. Emilia Sykes - 118th Congress (1.jpg
Official portrait, 2023
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Ohio's 13th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Education
Website House website
Campaign website

Emilia Strong Sykes (born January 4, 1986) [1] is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 13th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she formerly represented the 34th district of the Ohio House of Representatives, which consists of portions of the Akron area. From 2019 until 2021, she also served as minority leader of that chamber.

Contents


Ohio House of Representatives

In 2013, she ran for the Ohio House of Representatives to succeed her father, Vernon, who was term-limited. [2] She won the Democratic nomination by defeating Summit County councilman Frank Communale. [3] She later defeated Republican nominee Cynthia Blake in the general election by 72%–28% of the vote. [4]

In 2015, Sykes and fellow Democratic lawmaker Greta Johnson introduced legislation to remove the sales tax on feminine hygiene products. [5]

In 2019, Sykes was elected as the leader of the Democratic caucus, becoming the minority leader of the Ohio House. [6] During her first year being leader of the Democratic caucus, the number of bipartisan bills passed in the Ohio House was nearly double the combined total of the previous four years. [7]

During the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Sykes endorsed Joe Biden. [8] That same year, she won the EMILY's List 2020 Gabby Giffords Rising Star Award. [9]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022

Sykes and the 118th Congress are sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives, 2023 Emilia Sykes swearing in 2023.jpg
Sykes and the 118th Congress are sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives, 2023

In January 2022, Sykes announced her candidacy for Ohio's 13th congressional district. [10] In November 2022, she won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Madison Gesiotto Gilbert. [11]

2024

In 2024, Sykes ran for reelection in Ohio's 13th congressional district, a race widely viewed as one of the most competitive in the country. [12] She faced Republican Kevin Coughlin, who received strong support from national Republican groups, including a campaign visit from House Speaker Mike Johnson. [13] The race saw significant outside spending. OpenSecrets reported over $6 million in ad spending opposing Sykes, with $3.84 million funded by the Congressional Leadership Fund. [14] Sykes was reelected with 51.1% of the vote to Coughlin's 48.9%. [15]

Political attacks / Attack ads

Sykes has been the subject of multiple negative advertising campaigns, particularly in competitive election cycles.

During her 2022 campaign for Ohio's 13th congressional district, the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican-aligned super PAC, funded television ads portraying Sykes as "not safe on crime" and suggesting she supported policies that weakened domestic violence protections.Pelzer, Jeremy (October 12, 2022). "Attack ads fly as Ohio 13th Congressional District race tightens". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 1, 2025. Local press reported that the ads mischaracterized her legislative record, which included co-sponsoring bills to strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors.Kross, Anna Staver (October 14, 2022). "Fact check: Ad in 13th District race falsely claims Emilia Sykes voted against domestic violence bill". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved October 1, 2025.

In May 2025, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) launched a paid ad campaign accusing Sykes of voting for "the largest tax increase in generations" and of supporting "taxpayer-funded freebies to illegal immigrants."Richardson, Seth A. (May 23, 2025). "NRCC launches ad attacking Emilia Sykes over taxes and immigration". Cleveland.com. Retrieved October 1, 2025. The Cleveland Plain Dealer described the claims as part of a broader national messaging strategy targeting Democrats in swing districts. "Republican ad blitz targets House Democrats on taxes, immigration". The Washington Post. May 24, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.

In September 2025, the NRCC released another ad alleging that Sykes was "threatening a government shutdown," which it claimed would risk veterans’ health care, delay military paychecks, and cut support for law enforcement. "New NRCC ad targets Emilia Sykes over shutdown debate". Ohio Capital Journal. September 17, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025. Analysts noted that similar ads were aired in other competitive districts, suggesting a coordinated national effort. "Republicans target Democrats with shutdown ads in swing districts". The New York Times. September 18, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.

Scholars of political communication note that negative ads in House races often seek to prime voters on issues such as taxation, immigration, and public safety, especially in closely divided districts like Ohio's 13th.Fowler, Erika Franklin (2023). "Political Advertising in the United States". Annual Review of Political Science. 26: 125–144. doi:10.1146/annurev-polisci-050222-041416. While such ads can reduce favorability ratings, they also increase name recognition for incumbents.Iyengar, Shanto (1995). Going Negative: How Political Advertisements Shrink and Polarize the Electorate. Free Press. ISBN   978-0029326202.{{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)

Tenure

Sykes cast her first vote in Congress on January 3, 2023, to support Democrat Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker of the House. [16] She was officially sworn in as a member of the 118th Congress on January 7. [17] During her first term, she was appointed to the committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and on Science, Space, and Technology. [18] Following the 2023 East Palestine train derailment in Ohio, Sykes and Representative Bill Johnson (R-OH) introduced the bipartisan RAIL Act to strengthen railroad safety regulations and prevent future accidents. [19]

In 2024, Sykes helped secure Akron's designation as one of seven regional tech hubs in the country, with its focus on sustainable plastics and rubber manufacturing. The initiative was projected to create 6,300 jobs and attract $1.8 billion in private investment over ten years. [20] Reflecting on Akron’s history as the “Rubber Capital of the World", she also cosponsored a bipartisan bill with Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL) to offer a thirty percent tax credit for purchasing retreaded tires in order to support domestic manufacturing and local jobs. [21]

Committee assignments

Sykes on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Emilia Sykes in front of the transportation committee (cropped).jpg
Sykes on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Sykes's committee assignments for the 119th Congress include: [1]

Caucus memberships

Sykes's caucus memberships include: [1]

Political positions

Sykes is considered a moderate Democrat. [25] [26]

Immigration

In 2025, Sykes was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act. [27]

Infrastructure

Sykes announces federal funding for water infrastructure Emilia Sykes and infrastructure for water management.jpg
Sykes announces federal funding for water infrastructure

In 2024, Sykes announced $169 million in federal funding secured for Ohio's drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. [28]

Healthcare

Sykes voted against the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act in January 2023, a bill which would remove COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers. [29] [30] In February, she voted against a resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency three months earlier than the president's declared date. [31] [32]

Sykes co-introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act in 2023, a legislative package designed to address racial disparities in maternal mortality. The act includes 13 bills focused on reducing pregnancy-related deaths through measures like nutrition programs, maternal vaccination promotion, and mental health support for mothers. [33]

Law enforcement

Sykes co-introduced the bipartisan Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act in 2023, alongside Reps. Greg Landsman, Mike Carey, and Max Miller. The bill proposes allowing law enforcement agencies to use federal grants for recruitment and retention bonuses. [34]

Personal life

Sykes was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. [1] [35] She is the daughter of state senator Vernon Sykes and former state representative Barbara Sykes, who successively held the same seat from 1982 to 2014. Between Vernon, Barbara, and Emilia, the Sykes family held the seat for 40 years. [36] [37] Sykes grew up dancing and competing in gymnastics and made it to the AAU Junior Olympics, where she focused on the vault. [38] She graduated from Firestone High School. [39]

Sykes initially attended Tuskegee University, where she was the runner up Miss Tuskegee University. She filed a lawsuit against the university after it mistakenly honored her as the winner of the Miss Tuskegee University beauty pageant in 2006 and revoked her title after correcting it. [40] She then transferred to Kent State University in Ohio, [41] where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. [42] She received a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and a Master of Public Health from the College of Public Health and Health Professions. [43]

Sykes worked as a law clerk for the chief judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Georgia. [42] Afterwards, she served as an administrative adviser in the Summit County fiscal office. [44]

Emilia Sykes is married to politician Kevin Boyce. [45] She is a Baptist. [1]

Electoral history

Ohio House 34th District
YearDemocratVotesPctRepublicanVotesPct
2014Emilia Sykes17,29971.9%Cynthia Blake6,08228.1%
2016Emilia Sykes35,15477.1%Gene Littlefield10,42022.9%
2018Emilia Sykes30,16478.4%Josh Sines8,32921.6%
2020Emilia Sykes36,25176.8%Henry Todd10,92623.2%
US House Ohio 13th District
YearVotesPctVotesPct
2022Emilia Sykes149,81652.7%Madison Gesiotto Gilbert134,59347.3%
2024Emilia Sykes197,46151.1% Kevin Coughlin 188,99648.9%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rep. Emilia Sykes - D Ohio, 13th, In Office - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Emilia Sykes to seek the Ohio House seat her family long has held". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron. September 17, 2013. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Emilia Sykes in the Democratic primary for Ohio House District 34: editorial endorsement". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cleveland. April 29, 2014. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  4. ↑ REPORTER, Ellin Walsh |. "Sykes wins 34th Ohio State House District seat". MyTownNEO. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Is 'Tampon Tax' discriminatory to women?". WCPO. March 31, 2016. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Emilia Sykes named new Ohio House Democratic leader". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. January 21, 2019. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  7. ↑ Staver, Anna. "Emilia Sykes: Legislative leader with familiar family name plows her own path". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  8. ↑ Richardson, Seth A. (March 11, 2020). "Joe Biden announces backing from Emilia Sykes, more than half of Cleveland City Council". Cleveland.com . Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  9. ↑ Mills, Emily. "Emilia Sykes wins national award for dedication to women, families". Akron Beacon Journal. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  10. ↑ DeNatale, Dave "Dino" (January 18, 2022). "Former Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Sykes announces run for Congress". WKYC. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Emilia Sykes defeats Madison Gesiotto Gilbert in 13th Congressional District race". Akron Beacon Journal.
  12. ↑ Bottar, Abigail (November 1, 2024). "Ohio 13th Congressional District 2024 race is very competitive. Will others be if Issue 1 passes?". Ideastream Public Media. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  13. ↑ Tobias, Andrew (June 12, 2025). "Akron's 13th Congressional District likely to see Sykes-Coughlin rematch". Signal Ohio. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Ohio District 13 2024 Race". OpenSecrets. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Ohio's 13th Congressional District election, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Akron native Emilia Sykes casts first votes as 13th Congressional District representative". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  17. ↑ "118th Congress Begins | house.gov". www.house.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Emilia Strong Sykes (Ohio (OH)), 118th Congress Profile". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  19. ↑ Mills, Emily. "After East Palestine derailment, Sykes, Johnson introduce RAIL Act to improve railroad safety". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  20. ↑ Curi, Maria (October 31, 2024). "Selling the CHIPS and Science Act in Ohio". Axios. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  21. ↑ Sabrina Eaton, cleveland com (June 20, 2024). "Ohio Congress members roll out bill to boost tire retreading". cleveland. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Caucus Members". Black Maternal Health Caucus. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  24. ↑ "About the CEC". CEC. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Ohio 13th Congressional District 2024 race is very competitive. Will others be if Issue 1 passes?". Ideastream Public Media. November 1, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  26. ↑ Garrett, Amanda. "Sykes vs. Gesiotto Gilbert: Who will speak for Ohio's 13th Congressional District?". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  27. ↑ Rashid, Hafiz (January 22, 2025). "The 46 Democrats Who Voted for Republicans' Racist Immigration Bill". The New Republic. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  28. ↑ Williams, Patrick. "Total of $3.6B in US water infrastructure funding announced with $169M slated for Ohio". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers". Washington Examiner. January 31, 2023.
  30. ↑ "On Passage - H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on". August 12, 2015.
  31. ↑ "House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency". February 2023.
  32. ↑ "On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by". August 12, 2015.
  33. ↑ "A number of factors cause moms to die in labor. Ohio reps hope a wide-reaching bill can help". WVXU. May 29, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  34. ↑ Bennett, Paige (July 5, 2023). "Sykes, other Ohio lawmakers introduce bill to help with law enforcement hiring, retention". The Repository.
  35. ↑ "Sykes wins Ohio's 13th Congressional District Race". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Sykes tells local Democrats about 'Ohio Promise' - Morrow County Sentinel". www.morrowcountysentinel.com. July 26, 2019. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  37. ↑ "For the Ohio House: Emilia Sykes and Greta Johnson". Akron Beacon Journal. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  38. ↑ Saksa, Jim (August 1, 2024). "How Emilia Sykes went from Junior Olympian to running for reelection". Roll Call. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Bioguide Search". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  40. ↑ Lederman, Doug. "Quick Takes: Win for Evolution, Ex-President of Tex. Southern Indicted, Cal State Must Pay for Expansion Impact, AAU Weighs In on Commission, $105M for Stanford, Shifts in CUNY Funding, Nelnet-Peterson's, Cal. May Join Google Project, 'Miss Tuskegee". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  41. ↑ Walsh |, by Ellin. "Emilia Sykes wins primary for 34th Ohio House District". Akron Beacon Journal. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  42. 1 2 "Emilia Strong Sykes - University of Florida Alumni Association". connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Rep. Emilia Sykes joins competitive US House race in Ohio". AP NEWS. January 18, 2022. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  44. ↑ "First New Democratic House Leader in Five Years Has Strong Ties to the Statehouse". January 28, 2019. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  45. ↑ Goshay, Charita M. "Congresswoman-elect Emilia Sykes: 'I want to make it easy to live in Northeast Ohio.'". Canton Repository. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
Ohio House of Representatives
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives
2019–2021		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 13th congressional district
2023–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
357th		Succeeded by
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