Emilia Sykes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emilia Sykes
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 13th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Tim Ryan |
| Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives | |
| In office February 6, 2019 – December 31, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Fred Strahorn |
| Succeeded by | Kristin Boggs (Acting) |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 34th district |
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| In office January 6, 2015 – December 31, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Vernon Sykes |
| Succeeded by | Casey Weinstein (redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Emilia Strong Sykes
January 4, 1986 Akron, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kevin Boyce |
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| Education |
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Emilia Strong Sykes (born January 4, 1986) is an American politician. She is currently a U.S. Representative for Ohio's 13th congressional district. She has held this role since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she used to represent the 34th district in the Ohio House of Representatives. This district includes parts of the Akron area. From 2019 to 2021, she was also the minority leader in the Ohio House.
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Emilia Sykes's Early Life and Education
Sykes was born and grew up in Akron, Ohio. Her parents, Vernon Sykes and Barbara Sykes, were also politicians. They held the same state representative seat before her. Together, the Sykes family held this seat for 40 years!
As a child, Emilia loved dancing and competing in gymnastics. She even reached the AAU Junior Olympics, where she focused on the vault. She finished high school at Firestone High School.
Sykes first went to Tuskegee University. Later, she transferred to Kent State University in Ohio. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with high honors. She then went to the University of Florida Levin College of Law. There, she earned a Juris Doctor degree, which is a law degree. She also earned a Master of Public Health degree from the College of Public Health and Health Professions.
After her studies, Sykes worked for a judge in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court. She also served as an adviser in the Summit County fiscal office.
Emilia Sykes in the Ohio House of Representatives
In 2013, Sykes decided to run for the Ohio House of Representatives. She wanted to take over the seat her father, Vernon, held. He could not run again because of term limits. She won the Democratic nomination. Then, she won the main election against her Republican opponent. She won with 72% of the votes.
In 2015, Sykes and another lawmaker, Greta Johnson, worked together. They introduced a bill to remove sales tax from feminine hygiene products.
In 2019, Sykes was chosen to lead the Democratic group in the Ohio House. She became the minority leader. During her first year as leader, many bills were passed with support from both parties. This was twice as many as in the previous four years combined.
During the 2020 presidential primary elections, Sykes supported Joe Biden. That same year, she won an award called the Gabby Giffords Rising Star Award.
Emilia Sykes in the U.S. House of Representatives
How Emilia Sykes Was Elected
2022 Election for U.S. House
In January 2022, Sykes announced she would run for Ohio's 13th congressional district. In November 2022, she won the election. She defeated Republican candidate Madison Gesiotto Gilbert. This win was seen as an upset, meaning it was a surprising victory.
2024 Election for U.S. House
Sykes won her reelection in 2024. She ran against former Republican state representative Kevin Coughlin. It was a very close election.
Emilia Sykes's Time in Office
Sykes cast her first vote on January 3, 2023. She voted for Democrat Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to become Speaker of the House. She was officially sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on January 7, 2023.
Emilia Sykes's Committee Roles
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Sykes works on several important committees:
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee (she is the vice ranking member)
- Highways and Transit Subcommittee
- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- Research and Technology Subcommittee
Emilia Sykes's Group Memberships
Sykes is also part of several groups in Congress:
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Bipartisan Women's Caucus, where she is a vice-chair
- New Democrat Coalition, where she is a vice-chair for the Affordable Housing Taskforce
- Problem Solvers Caucus, working on making medicines more affordable
Emilia Sykes's Political Views
Emilia Sykes is seen as a moderate Democrat. This means her political views are often in the middle, not too far left or right.
Infrastructure and Public Works
In 2023, Sykes worked with Republican Rep. Bill Johnson. They sponsored a bill called the RAIL Act. This bill aims to make railroad safety better.
In 2024, Sykes announced good news for Ohio. She helped get $169 million in federal money. This money will be used to improve Ohio's drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
Healthcare and Public Health
In January 2023, Sykes voted against a bill. This bill would have removed COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers. In February, she voted against ending the COVID-19 national emergency early.
Sykes also helped introduce the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act in 2023. This is a set of bills to help reduce differences in maternal deaths. It includes bills for nutrition, vaccinations for mothers, and mental health support.
Law Enforcement Support
In 2023, Sykes worked with other representatives on a bill. It's called the Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act. This bill would let police departments use federal money for hiring and keeping officers.
Manufacturing and Jobs
In 2024, Sykes helped Akron become one of seven regional tech hubs in the country. This hub focuses on sustainable plastics and rubbers. This project is expected to create many jobs and bring in a lot of private investment.
Sykes also worked with Rep. Darin LaHood on a bill. It's called the Retreaded Truck Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security and Sustainability Act. This bill gives a tax credit for buying retreaded tires. This helps support American jobs and products. Sykes said this helps her district, which is known as the "Rubber Capital of the World."
Foreign Policy on Syria
In 2023, Sykes voted against a resolution. This resolution would have told President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.
Emilia Sykes's Personal Life
Emilia Sykes is married to politician Kevin Boyce. She is a Baptist.
Images for kids
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Emilia Sykes
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
