CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — As November’s midterm elections approach, Democratic State Representative Emilia Sykes spoke exclusively with Spectrum News about her race against Republican Madison Gesiotto Gilbert in Ohio’s 13th District.

A full, uncut conversation can be watched above or the full transcript can be read below. This interview took place on Aug. 25, 2022.

The full report on the race in the 13th Congressional District can be watched and read by clicking here.

Taylor Popielarz: Obviously, you’ve been running for a while now. And I know you’re making your elevator pitch to people every single day. What is that quick 30-second pitch for why you’re running, why you deserve this promotion?

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: So, we started the campaign in January and started the campaign wanting to reach every corner of the newly drawn Ohio 13, and mostly to let them know that I look forward to representing them in Congress. And I’ve enjoyed being the state representative for the 34th House District and getting to understand the needs and the desires of the community, addressing those needs through sensible policy working with both Democrats, Republicans, and the administration in order to deliver meaningful results. And the opportunity to continue to do so at the federal level would certainly be an honor to me, but most importantly, beneficial to the community that helped raise me. And so, I know that I can bring with me a dedication and passion and accessibility to the office that is unmatched. And it’s what has served me very well in the state legislature, and what will help me serve my community in the 13th Congressional District as a member of Congress.

Taylor Popielarz: Right now, is there a specific issue you would point to as kind of the top priority facing the district?

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: There are a lot of issues facing the district and to just dwindle that down to one—I wouldn’t be able to capture the needs of the entire district. Obviously, people are very concerned with how much everything costs, whether they can afford to buy gas or groceries or make their rent or mortgage payment. And that’s a significant part of this district. People are concerned about their health care, whether they can access it, and whether or not they can afford that or their prescription drugs, and that they’re getting the health outcomes that they need. People are concerned about their safety, their safety within the community, safety within their home, a fear of gun violence that plagues every segment of this community, sometimes in different ways, but still a matter of importance. And finally, people are very concerned about their freedoms to make choices for themselves, whether a woman can choose to have an abortion and when she can start a family. And all of these issues are on top of mind to people throughout this district. And we’ve been talking about them throughout the campaign trail to make sure that we understand what people need in addressing the policy decisions and the policy positions that will make the most sense and change in people’s lives.

Taylor Popielarz: As voters in the district start paying more attention to this race and start studying you and your opponent, what’s your argument to them for why you’re right for the job and your opponent is wrong for it?

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: Well, first of all, it’s a matter of accessibility and commitment to this community. People have seen me deliver meaningful results for seven and a half years as a member of the Ohio legislature. I am accessible in the community. They can find me at church or the grocery store or on the walking trails and say, ‘Hey, Rep. Sykes, I really liked this or I didn’t really like that. This is what I need from you. Can you help connect me to this resource?’ And that’s something that has been really delightful to do. And I look forward to continuing to do it. But even more importantly, we have seen the level of toxicity in our government increase substantially. And I’ve been able to work with both Democrats and Republicans and an administration in order to pass bills. Bills that have reduced taxes, that have increased incomes, that have protected maternal health. Bills that have reformed our criminal justice system, and expanding opportunities for people to have a job in this area. And all of those accomplishments are fantastic, and it’s the reason why people will want to continue to see me in the legislature. My opponent, however, is looking to be a member of Congress to serve herself. We have not seen her engaged in this community, we have not seen any meaningful results from her. We’ve seen her take very extreme positions that do not align with the values of the people in this district. And what I’ve known and what I’ve learned from public service, is you have to show up, you have to be ready to listen, and you have to be able to pull up your sleeves and get to work because people deserve that level of service. And that’s what they’re asking for from their elected officials.

Taylor Popielarz: You sort of just alluded to this, but what do you say to people who look at the fact that you’ve been serving at the state level for a good number of years now, obviously you come from a political family. But they say, ‘Is that really the best preparation for something like serving in Congress? Maybe I prefer an outsider who, you know, can’t be billed as a career politician?’ What’s your response to that?

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: Well, I would say that people want a public servant. And I come from a family of public servants. And I have served the public for the past seven and a half years. And what that provides for me is an understanding of how government works and a connection to the people who make decisions and how they make decisions. People should look at the accomplishments. How I’ve raised incomes, reduced taxes, helped reduce our infant mortality rate, protected maternal health in this state. I’m continuing to provide opportunities to folks in this community so they can live their American dream right here at home. And these are difficult things to do. It’s not always as simple as getting on Twitter and tweeting a bunch of things and making a speech, because that does not put more money in people’s pockets, that does not make our schools better. And so, what I would say is people are looking for someone who understands the job and understands the community and is ready to do the work and won’t complain on the days that get difficult because it is very important for us to take this job seriously. Because it is what the people are asking us to do and what they deserve.

Taylor Popielarz: One of the ways that you became minority leader in the statehouse was you helped convince enough Democrats to support Larry Householder to become speaker at the time. And I know there was a lot of drama and legitimate issues related to Speaker Ryan Smith at the time. That’s been well documented. Because people now associate Larry Householder with the largest corruption scandal in the state’s history, and kind of— how that’s poisoned that body, what do you say to them [if they] say, ‘I don’t know, Emilia, I don’t like that you had that association with it?’

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: Well, the reality is, the Republican Party put forth several problematic speaker candidates. We’ve had five speakers in five years for various, different reasons. And unfortunately, the party was unable to put forth a candidate that they could coalesce behind. And so, to put the blame on Democrats or on me specifically really fails to look at the fact that there has been significant problems with the majority party, and it certainly deserves to be discussed. But the reality is, my tenure, my reputation, has continued to be a public servant, someone who has worked for my constituents, who has delivered reasonable results, who has lowered taxes, increased incomes, made health care more accessible. And ultimately people will look at that, and that’s what’s going to make them decide whether or not they’re going to vote for me. Do they have more money in their pockets? Are their taxes lower? Are they able to send their kids to good schools? Can they access their health care? And is she accessible? Can we talk to her about things? And will she help connect us to the resources that they need the most? And that’s the most important thing. And that’s what I hear from constituents on the campaign trail.

Taylor Popielarz: Obviously, hindsight is 2020. Do you regret supporting Householder for Speaker?

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: I certainly regret his actions, and I wish that he would have chosen other actions.

Taylor Popielarz: We alluded to the fact that your family is well known in Ohio politics. Obviously, your mom and dad have both served at the state level. How do you respond—I don’t know if you’ve encountered this at all, and if you haven’t, say so—any concerns about nepotism? The fact that, oh, this path was paved for Emilia from the start. And obviously, she was going to go to the statehouse and now she’s going to go to Congress.

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: Well, that’s absolutely not the truth. Because if anyone has sat down with me and talked to me, they would know that my goal was to be the principal dancer for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. And that’s exactly what I sought out to do. But ultimately decided to go to law school, received a master’s degree in public health, and wanted to serve in influencing public health policy and ensuring our communities were healthy and well; and people can live their best, healthy, optimal lives. I ultimately decided to run for public office because I felt the need to serve. I felt a very strong sense of responsibility to the community that raised me, that raised my sister, and running for office was just an extension of trying to find the best way to serve my community. And so I’ve learned a lot along the way. I am grateful for the leadership from both of my parents and how they’ve shown me how important it is to stand up for people, to use my voice to speak up for the community. And it has really helped shape who I am and why I’m so passionate about this work, and why I spend the time and the hours trying to make people’s lives better. And so, it’s a conversation that people have had, and I have heard it before. But really what spurs me and what motivates me is the people, it’s my community. I feel very connected to them and I’m so grateful that they elected me. I did get this job through an election process. And I’m so grateful that they elected me and I’m honored that they’ve chosen me to serve them not once, not twice, not three times, but four times.

Taylor Popielarz: Because you grew up in Summit County, and in Akron, what does it mean that the new Ohio 13 will include all of Summit County?

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: Well, that’s an incredible opportunity for the people in this county. It’s been 60 years or so since we’ve seen Summit County in one entire congressional district. We are the fourth largest county in the state and splitting us up has really harmed our power, and it has split us up. And we haven’t had a congressperson from Summit County in over 10 years. And so, what I hope to do as a member of Congress is reconnect the community to this position, connecting the community—even the parts in Stark County, where I may not be from there, but I’m certainly making my rounds, so people get to know who I am, and that I am equally as dedicated to that part of the district, as well as the parts of Portage County—and letting them know that we can help connect them to the resources from the federal government, that I am accessible to answer questions, that we can talk about policy issues. But most of all, this is a partnership. And a partnership requires people to be active, engaged and present. And that’s what this candidacy will have. 

Taylor Popielarz: You and your father were the faces of the redistricting process, at least the first stage of it in the past year. And anyone who follows Ohio politics knows that it was a bit messy. I’ve spoken with several Republicans who served on the commission with you, who have said to me that you and your fellow Democrats on it weren’t always willing to negotiate. They claimed that you felt that the Supreme Court at the state level would be on your side and that it should go to that end, rather than sit at the negotiating table. I just wanted you to have a chance to respond to that.

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: Well, I would say that Democrats had two of the seven seats. And we were in a super minority there. And I would absolutely unequivocally say that Democrats were [not] unwilling to sit at the table and negotiate. We were not in a position to not to negotiate, because there was no way that just the two Democrats could pass a constitutional map on our own. And throughout that entire process, we did the best that we could to bring the voices of our constituents, of the community, of the over 70% of people who voted for the constitutional map changes, the constitutional amendments, to the table. And unfortunately, our voices were not heard. The 70% of Ohioans’ voices were not heard, most importantly. And so, rather than blame the two Democrats who were in the super minority of the seven, perhaps we should redirect the conversation about why the majority refused to negotiate and do what the 75% of Ohioans across the state, in every single county, asked for us to do. They chose not to do that.

Taylor Popielarz: Two final topics. You have a background in health policy. I know you’ve been very outspoken since Roe v. Wade was overturned. How has that background influenced your response to the Supreme Court decision?

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: Well, I’ve been very involved and engaged, even before Roe v. Wade, around maternal health, around infant health, around the freedom for reproductive choices. And this decision has been very clear that people are not happy. Women are not happy. To not have the freedom to decide your future and your fate, and letting Supreme Court justices into the important decisions that people are making with their doctors, their partners and their god is unacceptable. And people are letting us know, they’re letting us know all across the country. We saw what happened with Kansas; we saw what just recently happened in one of the congressional races in New York. Choice and reproductive freedom is certainly on the ballot this year. And I am really, really concerned that some people, that people like my opponent, who don’t think that there should be access to abortion in any circumstance, that want to criminalize women or criminalize doctors for accessing health care, that a 10-year-old from our state who was raped, has to seek help elsewhere, in Indiana, because they can’t get it in the state of Ohio. That’s devastating. That’s awful. And elected leaders should be fighting for the freedoms of the people in this country. And that means allowing women to have access to health care like abortion.

Taylor Popielarz: Lastly for you, you’re a Democrat running as a Democrat in this race. Right now, your party controls the White House, both chambers of Congress. How do you think Biden, Pelosi, Schumer have been doing the last 18 months?

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: Well, I think that people have mixed feelings about that. And we have seen a significant amount of legislation that has come out of this Congress to keep costs down. We’ve seen the bipartisan Safer Communities Act. We’ve seen the Inflation Reduction Act. We’ve seen the appointment of the first Black woman on the United States Supreme Court. And those are all significant things. But there’s certainly room for improvement. There are people who would like to see more from the administration and more from our Congress, and that is going to play itself out on November 8 and the early voting days to come. But one thing I do know that’s true is that our democracy is at stake, and continuing to go down this path where we are not allowing for votes to be counted because we don’t agree with the results, or storming the United States Capitol because you would prefer a different candidate, is a very problematic and troubling trend that we will see if Republicans are ultimately elected. And so, I am concerned about the state of our democracy. And I think that we should all be concerned about that. I’m concerned about our freedoms. And I think that voters will be concerned about those things as well as they make their decisions Nov. 8.

Taylor Popielarz: All right. We covered a lot. Thanks so much.

State Rep. Emilia Sykes: We did. Thank you.