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==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Sykes was born in [[Akron|Akron, Ohio]]. She is the daughter of state senator [[Vernon Sykes]] and former state representative [[Barbara Sykes (politician)|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/news/26967/sykes-tells-local-democrats-about-ohio-promise|title=Sykes tells local Democrats about 'Ohio Promise' - Morrow County Sentinel|date=2019-07-26|website=www.morrowcountysentinel.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=2019-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220143326/https://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/news/26967/sykes-tells-local-democrats-about-ohio-promise|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/article/20140927/OPINION/309279568|title=For the Ohio House: Emilia Sykes and Greta Johnson|website=Akron Beacon Journal|language=en|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=2019-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220143322/https://www.beaconjournal.com/article/20140927/OPINION/309279568|url-status=live}}</ref> Emilia grew up dancing and competing in [[gymnastics]], and made it to the [[AAU Junior Olympics]], where she excelled in the [[Vault (gymnastics)|vault]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saksa |first=Jim |date=2024-08-01 |title=How Emilia Sykes went from Junior Olympian to running for reelection |url=https://rollcall.com/2024/08/01/how-emilia-sykes-went-from-junior-olympian-to-running-for-reelection/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Roll Call |language=en-US}}</ref>
Sykes was born and raised in [[Akron|Akron, Ohio]]. She is the daughter of state senator [[Vernon Sykes]] and former state representative [[Barbara Sykes (politician)|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/news/26967/sykes-tells-local-democrats-about-ohio-promise|title=Sykes tells local Democrats about 'Ohio Promise' - Morrow County Sentinel|date=2019-07-26|website=www.morrowcountysentinel.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=2019-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220143326/https://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/news/26967/sykes-tells-local-democrats-about-ohio-promise|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/article/20140927/OPINION/309279568|title=For the Ohio House: Emilia Sykes and Greta Johnson|website=Akron Beacon Journal|language=en|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=2019-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220143322/https://www.beaconjournal.com/article/20140927/OPINION/309279568|url-status=live}}</ref> Emilia grew up dancing and competing in [[gymnastics]], and made it to the [[AAU Junior Olympics]], where she excelled in the [[Vault (gymnastics)|vault]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saksa |first=Jim |date=2024-08-01 |title=How Emilia Sykes went from Junior Olympian to running for reelection |url=https://rollcall.com/2024/08/01/how-emilia-sykes-went-from-junior-olympian-to-running-for-reelection/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Roll Call |language=en-US}}</ref> She graduated from [[Firestone High School]] in 2003.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Bioguide Search |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/S001223 |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=bioguide.congress.gov}}</ref>


Sykes initially attended [[Tuskegee University]], where she was the runner up Miss Tuskegee University.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lederman |first1=Doug |title=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 |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/08/02/quick-takes-win-evolution-ex-president-tex-southern-indicted-cal-state-must-pay |access-date=2 September 2024 |website=Inside Higher Ed}}</ref> Sykes then transferred to [[Kent State University]] in Ohio,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsh {{!}} |first=by Ellin |title=Emilia Sykes wins primary for 34th Ohio House District |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/falls-news-press/2014/05/11/emilia-sykes-wins-primary-for/19776065007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001135932/https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/falls-news-press/2014/05/11/emilia-sykes-wins-primary-for/19776065007/ |archive-date=2022-10-01 |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=Akron Beacon Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> where she graduated ''[[magna cum laude]]'' with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in psychology.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Emilia Strong Sykes - University of Florida Alumni Association |url=https://connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu/events/40gatorsunder40/2021honorees/emilia-strong-sykes |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu}}</ref> She received a [[Juris Doctor]] from the [[University of Florida Levin College of Law]] and a [[Master of Public Health]] from the [[University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions|College of Public Health and Health Professions]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-18 |title=Rep. Emilia Sykes joins competitive US House race in Ohio |url=https://apnews.com/article/congress-ohio-supreme-court-ohio-akron-house-elections-b00ab1d4eb97bde3c8c8ff5d96fbd39f |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=2022-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126190224/https://apnews.com/article/congress-ohio-supreme-court-ohio-akron-house-elections-b00ab1d4eb97bde3c8c8ff5d96fbd39f |url-status=live }}</ref>
Sykes initially attended [[Tuskegee University]], where she was the runner up Miss Tuskegee University.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lederman |first1=Doug |title=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 |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/08/02/quick-takes-win-evolution-ex-president-tex-southern-indicted-cal-state-must-pay |access-date=2 September 2024 |website=Inside Higher Ed}}</ref> She then transferred to [[Kent State University]] in Ohio,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsh {{!}} |first=by Ellin |title=Emilia Sykes wins primary for 34th Ohio House District |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/falls-news-press/2014/05/11/emilia-sykes-wins-primary-for/19776065007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001135932/https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/falls-news-press/2014/05/11/emilia-sykes-wins-primary-for/19776065007/ |archive-date=2022-10-01 |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=Akron Beacon Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> where she graduated ''[[magna cum laude]]'' with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in psychology in 2007.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Emilia Strong Sykes - University of Florida Alumni Association |url=https://connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu/events/40gatorsunder40/2021honorees/emilia-strong-sykes |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> She received a [[Juris Doctor]] from the [[University of Florida Levin College of Law]] and a [[Master of Public Health]] from the [[University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions|College of Public Health and Health Professions]] in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-18 |title=Rep. Emilia Sykes joins competitive US House race in Ohio |url=https://apnews.com/article/congress-ohio-supreme-court-ohio-akron-house-elections-b00ab1d4eb97bde3c8c8ff5d96fbd39f |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=2022-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126190224/https://apnews.com/article/congress-ohio-supreme-court-ohio-akron-house-elections-b00ab1d4eb97bde3c8c8ff5d96fbd39f |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />


Sykes worked as a law clerk for the chief judge of the [[Northern District of Georgia|U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Georgia]].<ref name=":2" /> Afterwards, she served as an administrative adviser in the [[Summit County, Ohio|Summit County]] fiscal office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statenews.org/post/first-new-democratic-house-leader-five-years-has-strong-ties-statehouse|access-date=2019-03-27|title=First New Democratic House Leader in Five Years Has Strong Ties to the Statehouse|date=28 January 2019|archive-date=2019-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327183905/http://www.statenews.org/post/first-new-democratic-house-leader-five-years-has-strong-ties-statehouse|url-status=live}}</ref>
Sykes worked as a law clerk for the chief judge of the [[Northern District of Georgia|U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Georgia]].<ref name=":2" /> Afterwards, she served as an administrative adviser in the [[Summit County, Ohio|Summit County]] fiscal office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statenews.org/post/first-new-democratic-house-leader-five-years-has-strong-ties-statehouse|access-date=2019-03-27|title=First New Democratic House Leader in Five Years Has Strong Ties to the Statehouse|date=28 January 2019|archive-date=2019-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327183905/http://www.statenews.org/post/first-new-democratic-house-leader-five-years-has-strong-ties-statehouse|url-status=live}}</ref>

Revision as of 14:15, 28 November 2024

Emilia Sykes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 13th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byTim Ryan
Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives
In office
February 6, 2019 – December 31, 2021
Preceded byFred Strahorn
Succeeded byKristin Boggs (Acting)
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 34th district
In office
January 6, 2015 – December 31, 2022
Preceded byVernon Sykes
Succeeded byCasey Weinstein (redistricting)
Personal details
Born
Emilia Strong Sykes

(1986-01-04) January 4, 1986 (age 38)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseKevin Boyce
Relatives
Education
WebsiteHouse 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. 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 excelled in the vault.[4] She graduated from Firestone High School in 2003.[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 in 2007.[8][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 in 2011.[9][5]

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 that sought the elimination of 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 nearly double the combined total of the previous four years, even with the Democrats in the minority.[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

See also: 2022 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Ohio
Skye and the 118th Congress are sworn into the United States House of Representatives, January 6, 2023.

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

See also: 2024 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Ohio

Sykes won reelection in 2024 against former Republican state representative Kevin Coughlin in a close election.[20][21]

Tenure

Sykes cast her first votes on January 3, 2023 for Democrat Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to serve as Speaker of the House.[22]

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.[23][24] In February, she voted against a resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency three months earlier than the president's declared date.[25][26]

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.[27]

Infrastructure

Sykes announces $169 million in funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure in Ohio made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.[28]

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.[29]

Syria

In March 2023, Sykes voted against H.Con.Res. 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[30][31]

Voting rights

In February, 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,[32][33] which would nullify the District of Columbia's law that allows noncitizen residents to vote in local elections.[34][35]

Committee assignments

Sykes sits on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and discusses her proposed bill amendment.

Caucus memberships

The following is a partial list of Sykes' caucus memberships:[36]

Personal life

Emilia Sykes is married to politician Kevin Boyce.[41] 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%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "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.
  5. ^ a b c "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.
  8. ^ a b "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. ^ "Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers". Washington Examiner. January 31, 2023.
  24. ^ "On Passage - H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on". August 12, 2015.
  25. ^ "House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency". February 2023.
  26. ^ "On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by". August 12, 2015.
  27. ^ "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.
  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. ^ "After East Palestine derailment, Sykes, Johnson introduce RAIL Act to improve railroad safety". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  30. ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
  31. ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". US News & World Report. March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  32. ^ "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.
  33. ^ "H.J.Res. 24: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia … -- House Vote #118 -- Feb 9, 2023". GovTrack.
  34. ^ "D.C. Law 24-242. Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. | D.C. Law Library". code.dccouncil.us. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  35. ^ "DC Council passes bill allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections". WTOP News. October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ "Transportation and Infrastructure Committee". transportation.house.gov. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  38. ^ "House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology". House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  39. ^ "Endorsed Candidates". NewDem Action Fund. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  40. ^ "Congressional Equality Members". February 22, 2023.
  41. ^ Goshay, Charita M. "Congresswoman-elect Emilia Sykes: 'I want to make it easy to live in Northeast Ohio.'". Canton Repository. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Emilia Sykes.
Ohio House of Representatives
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives
2019–2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 34th district
2015–2023 		Succeeded by
Casey Weinstein
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
418th 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Emilia_Sykes&oldid=1260039354"