Summary
Current Position: US Representative of OH 13th District since 2023
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: Ohio House of Representatives 34th district from 2015 to 2022 & Minority Leader from 2019 to 2021
District: portions of the Akron area.
Upcoming Election:
Sykes grew up in the Akron area and 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.
Sykes has served as an administrative adviser in the Summit County fiscal office.[
OnAir Post: Emilia Sykes OH-13
News
About
Source: Government site
Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Congresswoman Emilia Strong Sykes grew up on the city’s west side and has dedicated her career to strengthening her community. For 8 years, Emilia served as the State Representative for Ohio House District 34, otherwise known as the “Birthplace of Champions.” During that time, she served for four years in Democratic leadership, including three years as the House Minority Leader. In her first year as the leader of the House Democratic caucus, despite serving in the minority, the percentage of bipartisan bills passed in the Ohio House was nearly double each of the previous four years combined.
In 2022, Congresswoman Sykes became the first Black person elected to represent Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, where she has committed to fighting for economic opportunity, safer communities and affordable healthcare for Northeast Ohioans, bringing along a spirit of bipartisan cooperation to get things done for those she serves.
Congresswoman Sykes has received numerous awards for her advocacy, including the EMILY’s List national Rising Star award, Legislator of the Year from the Ohio Minority Business Enterprise, the Champion for Children award from Summit County Children’s Services, and 30 for the Future award from the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. Outside of elected office she engages her community as a lifelong member of her church, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a life member of the NAACP.
Congresswoman Sykes graduated with high honors from Kent State University with a B.A. in Psychology and later went on to the University of Florida, where she earned a Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Family Law and a Master of Public Health.
Congresswoman Sykes is a newlywed, married to Kevin Boyce and enjoys spending time with family, engaging in the arts, and enjoying the many blessings of life.
Personal
Full Name: Emilia Strong Sykes
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Akron, OH
Home City: Akron, OH
Source: Vote Smart
Education
BA, Psychology, Kent State University
Certified, Family Law, University of Florida Levin College of Law
JD, University of Florida Levin College of Law
MPH, Public Health, University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions
Political Experience
Member, Highways and Transit Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives, 2023-present
Representative, United States House of Representatives, Ohio, District 13, 2023-present
Representative, Ohio State House of Representatives, District 34, 2015-2023
Minority Leader, Ohio State House of Representatives, 2019-2023
Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Ohio, District 13, 2022
Minority Whip, Ohio State House of Representatives, 2018
Assistant Minority Whip, Ohio State House of Representatives, 2017-2018
Professional Experience
Former Employee, Community Legal Services
Former Administrative Staff Advisor, Summit County Fiscal Office
Former Law Clerk, United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Georgia
Offices
Contact
Email: Government
Web Links
Politics
Source: none
Election Results
To learn more, go to this wikipedia section in this post.
Finances
Source: Vote Smart
Committees
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation: aviation, maritime and waterborne transportation, highways, bridges, mass transit, and railroads. The Committee also has jurisdiction over other aspects of our national infrastructure, such as clean water and waste water management, the transport of resources by pipeline, flood damage reduction, the management of federally owned real estate and public buildings, the development of economically depressed rural and urban areas, disaster preparedness and response, and hazardous materials transportation.
In addition, the Transportation Committee has broad jurisdiction over the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard, Amtrak, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Economic Development Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and others. The Committee also has jurisdiction over federal buildings, which includes the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, Vice-Ranking Member
Highways and Transit Subcommittee
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has jurisdiction over all energy research, development, and demonstration, and projects thereof and all federally owned or operated non-military energy laboratories; astronautical research and development, including resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities; civil aviation research and development; environmental research and development; marine research; commercial application of energy technology; National Institute of Standards and Technology, standardization of weights and measures and the metric system; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; National Science Foundation; National Weather Service; outer space, including exploration and control thereof; science scholarships; scientific research, development, and demonstration, and projects therefor. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology shall review and study, on a continuing basis, laws, programs, and Government activities relating to non-military research and development.
Research and Technology Subcommittee
Caucus Membership
- The Congressional Black Caucus
- The Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, Vice-Chair
- The New Democrat Coalition, Vice-Chair of the Affordable Housing Taskforce
- The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- The Bipartisan Congressional Tire Caucus, Democratic Lead
- The Democratic Women’s Caucus
- The Equality Caucus
- The Congressional Ohio River Basin Caucus
- The Black Maternal Health Caucus
- The Heartland Caucus
- The Pro-Choice Caucus
- The Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls
- The House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
- The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition
- The Problem Solvers Caucus, Working Group on Pharmaceutical Affordability and Access
- The Future Forum
- The Labor Caucus
- The STEAM Caucus
- The Women in STEM Caucus
- The House Manufacturing Caucus
- The Congressional Voting Rights Caucus
- The Congressional Access to Legal Aid Caucus
- The Congressional Diabetes Caucus
- The Congressional Public Health Caucus
- The Congressional Steel Caucus
- The Congressional Fire Services Caucus
- The Congressional Caucus on Maternity Care
- The House Aerospace Caucus
New Legislation
Learn more about legislation sponsored and co-sponsored by Congresswoman Sykes.
Issues
Source: Government page
Climate
As the Vice-Ranking Member of the important Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Emilia knows that access to clean water, clean air, and a clean environment is a basic human right—and that we can fight for those rights while also creating good-paying jobs. In Congress, Emilia has supported environmentally friendly policies that support our economy, allow our national parks to thrive, and support native wildlife. By protecting our environment we can maintain a place where our children and families can live a healthy life, enjoy our local natural resources and promote tourism.
Democracy
Every northeast Ohioan deserves to have their voices heard and votes counted. In Congress, Emilia is fighting to make it easier for our citizens to vote by supporting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, the Democracy for All Amendment, and the We the People Amendment— and she will hold accountable anyone who attacks the right to a free and fair election, particularly those who advocate violently overthrowing the government, like the attack we saw on the Capitol on January 6th.
Education
As a proud product of public schools in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, Emilia is working to ensure every child in Northeast Ohio has access to a high-quality education with good teachers and a safe, welcoming environment where they can learn, ask questions, and grow their skills. In Congress, Emilia has co-sponsored the EDUCATORS for America Act and the American Teacher Act to provide students, educators, and schools with the resources they need to support a robust education. Emilia is running for re-election to continue her fight for our kids’ education, and work to ensure that those who wish to continue their education after high school have affordable options that don’t leave them drowning in student loan debt while they’re building a life here in Ohio.
Fair Trade
We must do everything we can to bring good-paying jobs to Northeast Ohio so folks can raise a family and build a life here. Bad trade deals have hurt our economy and our state and we need to invest in the future of our young people and our workers with increased job training and opportunities to grow. In Congress, Emilia has fought to safeguard workers, protect consumers, and promote fair competition. Now, she’s running for re-election to keep jobs from going overseas and continue fighting to bring them back where they belong: Ohio.
Healthcare
The healthcare industry is one of the leading employers in Ohio’s 13th congressional district. Working with our healthcare partners is key to reduce costs of care. All Northeast Ohioans deserve access to quality, affordable healthcare and prescription drugs that won’t break the bank. In Congress, Emilia is pushing to cap the cost of life-saving medications such as insulin, make sure there are affordable long-term care options for Ohioans, and continue her work on eliminating systemic biases that lead to health inequities. One of Emilia’s first bills introduced in Congress, the Mental Health Improvement Act, passed the U.S. House and will expand important mental health resources for Ohioans in the 13th District.
Immigration
Our immigration system is broken and we need a bipartisan, comprehensive solution that stops ignoring the problem. As the Congresswoman for the 13th District, Emilia visited the border in her first term to see the challenges firsthand and is fighting to ensure our borders are safe and secure, keeping out dangerous drugs and weapons, while also recognizing decency and humanity is required to those who seek the land of opportunity we call home. She is a champion for those who come here legally, pay taxes and play by the rules because they deserve the same rights and protections as everyone else. Additionally, Emilia was a strong advocate for the TRANQ Act that was signed into law to combat the spread of opioids and combat the opioid epidemic that has devastated individuals, families, and communities in Northeast Ohio.
Jobs & Lowering Costs
Ohioans are working harder than ever and shouldn’t be struggling to pay for gas, groceries, housing, and other expenses because of rising costs. That’s why she sponsored the Raise the Wage Act to improve the standard of living for everyday Ohioans and to increase the federal minimum wage to keep up with inflation. Emilia is fighting to put more money in the pockets of Northeast Ohio families through her legislation, the Lower Your Taxes Act, to expand the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits. Emilia has been fighting to bring jobs back to Northeast Ohio and recently introduced the the Bring Jobs Home Act to deter companies from shipping American jobs overseas.
During her time in Congress, Emilia has brought home innovative resources to the 13th congressional district. She secured federal funding for a tech hub and continues to fight for more job opportunities for her constituents. Emilia is a co-sponsor of the National Apprenticeship Act, which will invest more than $3.85 billion to increase access to apprenticeships opportunities.
Organized Labor
Emilia has been working closely with the congressional Labor Caucus to deliver policies the provide better working conditions and keep American jobs from going overseas. She is a co-sponsor and fierce advocate of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2023, also known as the PRO Act, which will provide American workers the rights and dignity they deserve in the workplace.
Protecting Women’s Right to Healthcare
Women should always have the right to make decisions about their healthcare and reproductive freedom. Whether it’s abortion, birth control, fertility treatment, or breast cancer screenings, the government has no place telling a woman what to do with her body. As a co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act and a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, Emilia is fighting against any attempts to criminalize abortion and contraception or punish women and will stand up for victims of rape, incest, and domestic abuse.
Public Safety
Everyone deserves to be safe, and feel safe in their communities. In Congress, Emilia worked with Democrats and Republicans to introduce a bill to improve hiring and retention resources for local law enforcement. Emilia is continuing her fight to ensure law enforcement has the resources they need to protect and serve the communities where they work while ensuring there is accountability and trust within the community through meaningful criminal justice reform efforts.
Seniors
Too often our seniors are ignored or taken advantage of and we need to allow them to age with dignity in their own homes on their own terms. In Congress, Emilia is fighting to hold those who target seniors for fraud schemes accountable, allow Medicare to negotiate to lower the cost of prescription drugs and use those savings to expand Medicare benefits to cover vision, hearing, and dental services for seniors. She is a strong supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped the cost of insulin for Medicare recipients at $35 a month and is committed to lowering costs for all. Emilia co-sponsored the Social Security 2100 Act to protect and extend benefits for seniors, and to ensure the program has the resources it needs to last for years to come. While extremists in Congress have proposed cutting Social Security and Medicare benefits, Emilia has been clear: she will always fight to protect and expand benefits, ensuring all can retire with safety and dignity.
More Information
Services
Source: Government page
District
Source: Wikipedia
The 13th congressional district of Ohio is represented by Representative Emilia Sykes. Due to reapportionment following the 2010 United States census, Ohio lost its 17th and 18th congressional districts, necessitating redrawing of district lines. Following the 2012 elections, the 13th district changed to take in much of the territory in the former 17th district, including the city of Youngstown and areas east of Akron.
It was one of several districts challenged in a 2018 lawsuit seeking to overturn Ohio’s congressional map as an unconstitutional gerrymander. According to the lawsuit, the 13th resembles a “jigsaw puzzle piece” that reaches out to grab the portion of Akron not taken in by the Cleveland-based 11th district.
From 2003 to 2013, the district ran from Lorain to include part of Akron, also taking in the suburban areas in between.
In the 2020 redistricting cycle, Ohio lost its 16th congressional district and this district was redrawn to include all of Summit County and parts of Stark and Portage County including Canton, North Canton and parts of Massillon, while Youngstown was removed from the district.
Wikipedia
Emilia Strong Sykes[1][2] (born January 4, 1986) is an American politician who is the U.S. representative for Ohio’s 13th congressional district. 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.
Biography
Sykes grew up in the Akron area and 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.[3][4]
Sykes obtained a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Kent State University.[5] 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.[6]
Sykes has served as an administrative adviser in the Summit County fiscal office.[7] In 2013, she ran for the Ohio House of Representatives to succeed her father, Vernon, who was term-limited.[8] She defeated Summit County councilman Frank Communale to secure the Democratic nomination,[9] and Republican nominee Cynthia Blake 72%-28% in the general election.[10]
In 2015, Sykes and fellow Democratic lawmaker Greta Johnson introduced a bill that sought to exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax.[11]
In 2019, Sykes was elected the leader of the Democrats in the Ohio House, becoming minority leader.[12]
During the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Sykes supported Joe Biden.[13]
Sykes won the EMILY’s List 2020 Gabby Giffords Rising Star Award.[14]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2022
In January 2022, Sykes announced her candidacy for Ohio’s 13th congressional district.[15]
In November 2022, she won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Madison Gesiotto Gilbert in an upset.[16]
Tenure
Speaker of the House vote
Sykes cast her first votes on January 3, 2023, voting multiple times for Democrat Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to serve as Speaker of the House.[17]
COVID-19 policy
On January 31, 2023, Sykes voted against H.R.497:Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, a bill which would remove COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.[18][19]
On February 1, 2023, Sykes voted against a resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency.[20][21]
Infrastructure
In March 2023, Sykes and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) cosponsored the bipartisan RAIL Act (H.R.1633) which is an attempt to improve railroad safety.[22]
Syria
On March 8, 2023, Sykes voted against H.Con.Res. 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[23][24]
Voting rights
On February 9, 2023, Sykes voted against H.J.Res.24: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022,[25][26] which would nullify the District of Columbia’s law that allows noncitizen residents to vote in local elections.[27][28]
Caucus memberships
The following is a partial list of Sykes’ caucus memberships:[29]
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, vice-chair
- New Democrat Coalition,[30] vice-chair of the Affordable Housing Taskforce
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Democratic Women’s Caucus
- Congressional Equality Caucus[31]
- Problem Solvers Caucus, Working Group on Pharmaceutical Affordability and Access
- Women in STEM Caucus
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition
Committee assignments
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure[29][32]
- Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee (vice ranking member)
- Highways and Transit Subcommittee
- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology[29][33]
- Research and Technology Subcommittee
Electoral history
| Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Emilia Sykes | 17,299 | 71.9% | Cynthia Blake | 6,082 | 28.1% | ||
| 2016 | Emilia Sykes | 35,154 | 77.1% | Gene Littlefield | 10,420 | 22.9% | ||
| 2018 | Emilia Sykes | 30,164 | 78.4% | Josh Sines | 8,329 | 21.6% | ||
| 2020 | Emilia Sykes | 36,251 | 76.8% | Henry Todd | 10,926 | 23.2% |
| Year | Votes | Pct | Votes | Pct | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Emilia Sykes | 149,816 | 52.7% | Madison Gesiotto Gilbert | 134,593 | 47.3% |
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
References
- ^ “Lawyer Directory – The Florida Bar”. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ “Emilia Strong Sykes Lawyer Profile on Martindale.com”. www.martindale.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ “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.
- ^ “For the Ohio House: Emilia Sykes and Greta Johnson”. Akron Beacon Journal. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ “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.
- ^ “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.
- ^ “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.
- ^ “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.
- ^ REPORTER, Ellin Walsh |. “Sykes wins 34th Ohio State House District seat”. MyTownNEO. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ “Is ‘Tampon Tax’ discriminatory to women?”. WCPO. March 31, 2016. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ^ “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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ “Emilia Sykes defeats Madison Gesiotto Gilbert in 13th Congressional District race”. Akron Beacon Journal.
- ^ “Akron native Emilia Sykes casts first votes as 13th Congressional District representative”. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ “Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers”. Washington Examiner. January 31, 2023.
- ^ “On Passage – H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on”. August 12, 2015.
- ^ “House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency”. February 2023.
- ^ “On Passage – H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by”. August 12, 2015.
- ^ “After East Palestine derailment, Sykes, Johnson introduce RAIL Act to improve railroad safety”. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ “H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … — House Vote #136 — Mar 8, 2023”.
- ^ “House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria”. US News & World Report. March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^ “H.J.Res.24 – Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. (118th Congress)”. Congress.gov. January 31, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ “H.J.Res. 24: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia … — House Vote #118 — Feb 9, 2023”. GovTrack.
- ^ “D.C. Law 24-242. Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. | D.C. Law Library”. code.dccouncil.us. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ “DC Council passes bill allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections”. WTOP News. October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ a b c “Committees and Caucuses | Congresswoman Emilia Sykes”. sykes.house.gov. October 17, 2023. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ “Endorsed Candidates”. NewDem Action Fund. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ “Congressional Equality Members”. February 22, 2023.
- ^ “Transportation and Infrastructure Committee”. transportation.house.gov. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ “House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology”. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
External links
- Congresswoman Emilia Sykes official U.S. House website
- Emilia Sykes for Congress campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
