Emilia Sykes

Emilia Sykes
Emilia Sykes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from Ohio's 13th district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Tim Ryan
Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives
	In office; February 6, 2019 – December 31, 2021
Preceded by	Fred Strahorn
Succeeded by	Kristin Boggs (Acting)
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives; from the 34th district
	In office; January 6, 2015 – December 31, 2022
Preceded by	Vernon Sykes
Succeeded by	Casey Weinstein (redistricting)
Personal details
Born	Emilia Strong Sykes; January 4, 1986 (age 39); Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Kevin Boyce
Relatives	Vernon Sykes (father); Barbara Sykes (mother);
Education	Kent State University (BA); University of Florida (JD, MPH);
Website	House 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.

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

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

Ohio House 34th District
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%

US House Ohio 13th District
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%

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

Ohio House of Representatives
Preceded by Fred Strahorn	Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives 2019–2021	Succeeded by Kristin Boggs Acting
Preceded by Vernon Sykes	Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 34th district 2015–2023	Succeeded by Casey Weinstein
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Tim Ryan	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 Dale Strong	United States representatives by seniority 361st	Succeeded by Shri Thanedar

[:1-1] "Rep. Emilia Sykes - D Ohio, 13th, In Office - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved November 27, 2024.

[2] "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.

[3] "For the Ohio House: Emilia Sykes and Greta Johnson". Akron Beacon Journal. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.

[4] Saksa, Jim (August 1, 2024). "How Emilia Sykes went from Junior Olympian to running for reelection". Roll Call. Retrieved November 28, 2024.

[:3-5] "Bioguide Search". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2024.

[6] 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.

[7] 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.

[:2-8] "Emilia Strong Sykes - University of Florida Alumni Association". connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu. Retrieved November 28, 2024.

[9] "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.

[10] "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.

[11] "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.

[12] "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.

[13] REPORTER, Ellin Walsh |. "Sykes wins 34th Ohio State House District seat". MyTownNEO. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.

[14] "Is 'Tampon Tax' discriminatory to women?". WCPO. March 31, 2016. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.

[15] "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.

[16] 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.

[17] 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.

[18] 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.

[19] "Emilia Sykes defeats Madison Gesiotto Gilbert in 13th Congressional District race". Akron Beacon Journal.

[20] 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.

[21] Leigh, Harri. "Republicans aim to unseat Ohio Democrat Emilia Sykes in a swing district". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved August 8, 2024.

[22] "Akron native Emilia Sykes casts first votes as 13th Congressional District representative". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2023.

[23] "118th Congress Begins | house.gov". www.house.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2024.

[:0-24] "Committees and Caucuses | Congresswoman Emilia Sykes". sykes.house.gov. October 17, 2023. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.

[25] "Transportation and Infrastructure Committee". transportation.house.gov. Retrieved October 18, 2023.

[26] "House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology". House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Retrieved October 18, 2023.

[27] "Endorsed Candidates". NewDem Action Fund. Retrieved December 3, 2022.

[28] "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.

[29] Garrett, Amanda. "Sykes vs. Gesiotto Gilbert: Who will speak for Ohio's 13th Congressional District?". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved December 1, 2024.

[30] "After East Palestine derailment, Sykes, Johnson introduce RAIL Act to improve railroad safety". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2023.

[31] Williams, Patrick. "Total of $3.6B in US water infrastructure funding announced with $169M slated for Ohio". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved November 28, 2024.

[32] "Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers". Washington Examiner. January 31, 2023.

[33] "On Passage - H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on". August 12, 2015.

[34] "House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency". February 2023.

[35] "On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by". August 12, 2015.

[36] "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.

[37] Bennett, Paige (July 5, 2023). "Sykes, other Ohio lawmakers introduce bill to help with law enforcement hiring, retention". The Repository.

[38] Curi, Maria (October 31, 2024). "Selling the CHIPS and Science Act in Ohio". Axios. Retrieved December 1, 2024.

[39] Sabrina Eaton, cleveland com (June 20, 2024). "Ohio Congress members roll out bill to boost tire retreading". cleveland. Retrieved December 1, 2024.

[40] "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".

[41] "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". US News & World Report. March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.

[42] Goshay, Charita M. "Congresswoman-elect Emilia Sykes: 'I want to make it easy to live in Northeast Ohio.'". Canton Repository. Retrieved November 27, 2024.

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