Akron Reporter

Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes, currently serving in the U.S. Congress representing Ohio’s 13th district, has shared a series of updates addressing both the significant achievements and challenges in her community. Sykes, who replaced previous U.S. Congress member Tim Ryan in 2023, continues to engage closely with her constituents through influential initiatives and firm positions.

On May 2, 2025, Sykes celebrated the opening of a new STEM Center of Excellence by the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO). She stated, "Congratulations to @GSNEO on the opening of its new STEM Center of Excellence! Rep. Sykes is proud to have secured $850,000 for this project as part of the 2024 Federal Budget. This center will serve thousands of students in our communities and will empower and girls and young".

Later that same day, Sykes addressed concerns over potential Medicaid cuts, emphasizing the impacts on vulnerable community members. She wrote, "Cutting Medicaid means cutting off health care from some of our community's most vulnerable. This means people in nursing homes, pregnant women, people in addiction recovery, children, and more. Cutting Medicaid is irresponsible and Rep. Sykes won't stand for it."

On May 3, 2025, Sykes announced the winner of the Congressional Art Competition for Ohio's 13th District. She praised, "Congratulations to Addelynn Ferguson of Portage Lakes Career Center for being this year’ Congressional Art Competition winner for #OH13! Addelynn’s artwork, Lollipop, and all of her talents, are why this community is known as the “Birthplace of Champions.”

Emilia Sykes, a native of Akron, Ohio, was born in 1986. She is an alumna of Kent State University and holds a JD from the University of Florida. Prior to her current position in the U.S. Congress, she served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2015 to 2022.