For part two of our Workers’ Newest Allies series, which we launched in last month’s Election Connection newsletter, we’d like to introduce you to Ohio Representative Emilia Sykes.
Sykes represents Congressional District 13, which includes all of Summit County and parts of Stark and Portage counties.
Serving as a state representative in Ohio’s 34th district from 2015 to 2022, Sykes ascended to the rank of Minority Leader from 2019 to 2021, where she established herself as a young, enthusiastic advocate for working families who kept close ties with the labor movement.
Throughout her time in the state legislature, Sykes supported legislation to ensure more workers have access to paid sick leave and greater protections when they speak up about unsafe conditions on the job.
In 2016, Sykes led a delegation of lawmakers at the USW Local 1123 union hall in Canton, Ohio for a discussion on the harms of anti-worker laws.
Along with our close friend, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Sykes has walked picket lines with striking UAW members, and joined leaders of USW District 1 and USW Local 2 to stress the vital role of manufacturing jobs like those at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron, Ohio.
Rep. Sykes serves on the vitally important Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where she will have input on issues related to procurement, like Buy America.