Summary
Current Position: State Senator of District 34 since 2014
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2023 US Representative for District 13
OnAir Post: Emilia Sykes
About
Source: Wikipedia
Born in Akron, Ohio, Emilia Sykes grew up on the city’s west side and enjoyed a childhood that was full of competitive gymnastics and ballet, along with the constant support and encouragement of her family and community who she credits for helping to raise her. As a child, Emilia saw first-hand that Northeast Ohio families work hard every day and care deeply about what they do, but too often aren’t given the opportunity or level playing field that many others enjoy. That’s why when she became House Minority Leader she worked with Republicans and Democrats to deliver real results for Ohio’s families, businesses, and seniors.
Emilia’s parents taught her the values of hard work, never to give up, and that public service means standing up for others because it’s the right thing to do, not because it serves your political career. And that means picking fights on behalf of the people against the powerful. They also taught her the importance of a good education. These lessons led Emilia to graduate with high honors from Kent State University with a B.A.in Psychology and later the University of Florida, where she earned a Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Family Law and a Master of Public Health.
Emilia Sykes currently serves as a State Representative in Ohio’s 34th legislative district, otherwise known as the “birthplace of champions,” where she’s served since 2014. She recently finished four years in Democratic leadership, holding the positions of Assistant Whip, Minority Whip and Minority Leader.
As a State Representative, Emilia has worked tirelessly to keep jobs in our state and expand opportunity for working families in Northeast Ohio. She’s fought for tax cuts for middle-class and working families, funding for high-speed internet, and higher wages and safer working conditions for Ohio’s workers. During her first year as leader, despite serving in the minority, the percentage of bipartisan bills passed was nearly double each of the previous two legislative sessions.
In particular, Sykes’ work on domestic violence issues earned bipartisan praise and resulted in her legislation, Ohio HB1, to protect the safety and security of people in violent relationships to become the priority piece of legislation in the 132nd General Assembly.
Unfortunately, too many politicians in Ohio are uninterested in working together and they’re standing in the way of progress and opportunity for Northeast Ohio. We can’t have a representative in Congress who only looks out for wealthy special interests and peddles wild conspiracy theories that are meant to divide us for political gain.
Emilia is running for the United States Congress because Northeast Ohio needs a fighter who isn’t afraid to stand up for them when the powerful and well connected tell her to sit down and embrace the status quo. She’s ready to stand up for our jobs, for affordable healthcare and education, and for bipartisan cooperation to actually get things done. Emilia knows that too often working families feel alone–and they shouldn’t have to leave the state to find success, safety and security. Emilia will bring a fresh perspective to Washington, and fight for opportunity for every child, senior, and family in Northeast Ohio, regardless of their politics or beliefs.
Prior to serving in the state legislature, Sykes worked as Administrative Staff Advisor at the Summit County Fiscal Office, where she helped to create a county land bank to repurpose vacant and abandoned properties, and as a Law Clerk to the Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Georgia.
Rep. Sykes has received numerous awards for her advocacy, including the Legislator of the Year from the Ohio Minority Business Enterprise, the Champion for Children award from Summit Children’s Services, the EMILY’s List Rising Star award, and 30 for the Future award from the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce.
Web
Campaign Site, Wikipedia, Twitter, Facebook
Politics
Source: none
Finances
SYKES, EMILIA STRONG has run in 4 races for public office, winning 4 of them. The candidate has raised a total of $1,173,965.
Source: Follow the Money
Voting Record
See: Vote Smart
Issues
Source: Campaign page
Democracy & Governance
Every northeast Ohioan deserves to have their voices heard and votes counted. In Congress, Emilia will fight to make it easier for our citizens to vote by supporting H.R. 1 the For the People Act— 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 of last year.
Economy & Jobs
Ohioans are working harder than ever and shouldn’t be struggling to pay for gas, groceries, housing, and other expenses because of rising costs. In order to lower costs and ensure we don’t have another supply chain crisis, Emilia supports a “Made in America” plan to bring manufacturing home to northeast Ohio so we aren’t dependent on foreign countries and create good-paying jobs for Ohio workers. Emilia will also fight to put more money in the pockets of Northeast Ohioans, just as she did in the legislature when she worked to increase Ohio’s Earned income tax credit from 10 to 30 percent of the federal credit.
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. As a legislator, Emilia fought to keep local jobs for local workers and cosponsored the Consumer Protection Call Center Act to fight the offshoring of Ohio call center jobs. In Congress, Emilia will fight to keep jobs from going overseas and bring them back where they belong: Ohio.
Environment & Energy
Climate
Emilia knows that access to clean water, clean air, and a clean environment is a basic human right—but that we can fight for those rights while also creating good-paying jobs. In Congress, Emilia will support 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.
Health & Education
Healthcare is far too expensive and all northeast Ohioans deserve access to quality, affordable healthcare and prescription drugs that won’t break the bank. In Congress, Emilia will push 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.
Every child in Northeast Ohio deserves 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 will 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.
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. As a legislator Emilia supported the successful bipartisan effort to grant nursing home residents the ability to authorize and install electronic monitoring devices in resident rooms to monitor the quality of care received, as well as the effort to provide tax credits for family caregivers and lower property taxes. In Congress, Emilia will fight 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.
Public Safety
Everyone deserves to be safe, and feel safe in their communities. As a State Representative, Emilia led a bipartisan effort to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse could be protected and worked to make it a crime for people to track others without their consent. In Congress, Emilia will continue 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.
Immigration
Our immigration system is broken and we need a bipartisan, comprehensive solution that stops ignoring the problem. In Congress Emilia will fight 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’ll also be 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.
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. As a legislator Emilia supported the successful bipartisan effort to grant nursing home residents the ability to authorize and install electronic monitoring devices in resident rooms to monitor the quality of care received, as well as the effort to provide tax credits for family caregivers and lower property taxes. In Congress, Emilia will fight 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.
See Also
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Wikipedia
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.
Early life and education
Sykes was born and raised in Akron, Ohio.[1] 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.[2][3] Emilia grew up dancing and competing in gymnastics and made it to the AAU Junior Olympics, where she focused on the vault.[4] She graduated from Firestone High School.[5]
Sykes initially attended Tuskegee University, where she was the runner up Miss Tuskegee University.[6] She then transferred to Kent State University in Ohio,[7] where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.[8] 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.[9]
Sykes worked as a law clerk for the chief judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Georgia.[8] Afterwards, she served as an administrative adviser in the Summit County fiscal office.[10]
Ohio House of Representatives
In 2013, she ran for the Ohio House of Representatives to succeed her father, Vernon, who was term-limited.[11] She won the Democratic nomination by defeating Summit County councilman Frank Communale.[12] She later defeated Republican nominee Cynthia Blake in the general election by 72%–28% of the vote.[13]
In 2015, Sykes and fellow Democratic lawmaker Greta Johnson introduced legislation to remove the sales tax on feminine hygiene products.[14]
In 2019, Sykes was elected as the leader of the Democratic caucus, becoming the minority leader of the Ohio House.[15] During her first year being leader of the Democratic caucus, the number of bipartisan bills passed in the Ohio House was double the combined total of the previous four years.[1]
During the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Sykes endorsed Joe Biden.[16] That same year, she won the EMILY’s List 2020 Gabby Giffords Rising Star Award.[17]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2022
In January 2022, Sykes announced her candidacy for Ohio’s 13th congressional district.[18] In November 2022, she won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Madison Gesiotto Gilbert in an upset.[19]
2024
Sykes won reelection in 2024 against former Republican state representative Kevin Coughlin in a close election.[20][21]
Tenure
Sykes cast her first vote on January 3, 2023 for Democrat Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to serve as Speaker of the House.[22] She was sworn into the United States House of Representative with the 118th Congress on January 7, 2023.[23]
Committee assignments
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- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure[24][25]
- Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee (vice ranking member)
- Highways and Transit Subcommittee
- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology[24][26]
- Research and Technology Subcommittee
Caucus memberships
Partial list of caucus memberships:[24]
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, vice-chair
- New Democrat Coalition,[27] vice-chair of the Affordable Housing Taskforce
- Problem Solvers Caucus, Working Group on Pharmaceutical Affordability and Access
Political positions
Sykes is considered a moderate Democrat.[28][29]
Infrastructure
In 2023, Sykes and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) cosponsored the bipartisan RAIL Act, which aims to improve railroad safety.[30]
In 2024, Sykes announced $169 million in federal funding secured for Ohio’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.[31]
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.[32][33] In February, she voted against a resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency three months earlier than the president’s declared date.[34][35]
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.[36]
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.[37]
Manufacturing
In 2024, Sykes helped secure Akron’s designation as one of seven regional tech hubs in the country, focused on sustainable plastics and rubbers. The tech hub is projected to create 6,351 jobs and generate $1.8 billion in direct private investment over the next 10 years.[38]
Sykes and Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) cosponsored the bipartisan Retreaded Truck Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security and Sustainability Act in 2024, which provides a 30% tax credit for purchasing retreaded tires, promoting American-made products, and supporting jobs in retreading facilities. Sykes said that the initiative, aligned with her district’s identity as the “Rubber Capital of the World”.[39]
Syria
In 2023, Sykes voted against House Resolution 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[40][41]
Personal life
Emilia Sykes is married to politician Kevin Boyce.[42] She is a Baptist.[1]
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% |
| 2024 | Emilia Sykes | 197,461 | 51.1% | Kevin Coughlin | 188,996 | 48.9% |
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
References
- ^ a b c d “Rep. Emilia Sykes – D Ohio, 13th, In Office – Biography | LegiStorm”. www.legistorm.com. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- ^ “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.
- ^ Saksa, Jim (August 1, 2024). “How Emilia Sykes went from Junior Olympian to running for reelection”. Roll Call. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ “Bioguide Search”. bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b “Emilia Strong Sykes – University of Florida Alumni Association”. connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ “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.
- ^ Kreider, Derek; Williams, Patrick (November 5, 2024). “Emilia Sykes reelected in 13th Congressional District race as Kevin Coughlin concedes”. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Leigh, Harri. “Republicans aim to unseat Ohio Democrat Emilia Sykes in a swing district”. Spectrum News 1. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ “Akron native Emilia Sykes casts first votes as 13th Congressional District representative”. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ “118th Congress Begins | house.gov”. www.house.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ “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.
- ^ “Endorsed Candidates”. NewDem Action Fund. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ “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.
- ^ Garrett, Amanda. “Sykes vs. Gesiotto Gilbert: Who will speak for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District?”. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ “After East Palestine derailment, Sykes, Johnson introduce RAIL Act to improve railroad safety”. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ Williams, Patrick. “Total of $3.6B in US water infrastructure funding announced with $169M slated for Ohio”. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ “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.
- ^ “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.
- ^ Bennett, Paige (July 5, 2023). “Sykes, other Ohio lawmakers introduce bill to help with law enforcement hiring, retention”. The Repository.
- ^ Curi, Maria (October 31, 2024). “Selling the CHIPS and Science Act in Ohio”. Axios. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ Sabrina Eaton, cleveland com (June 20, 2024). “Ohio Congress members roll out bill to boost tire retreading”. cleveland. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ “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.
- ^ Goshay, Charita M. “Congresswoman-elect Emilia Sykes: ‘I want to make it easy to live in Northeast Ohio.’“. Canton Repository. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
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
