AKRON, Ohio — Emilia Strong Sykes, democratic candidate-elect for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, has made history as the first Black female and person to represent the district, defeating republican candidate Madison Gesiotto Gilbert with nearly 53% of the vote Tuesday night.
The 13th Congressional District was re-drawn earlier this year and could have swung red or blue. After redistricting, the maps show Democracts have a slight 3% to 4% advantage on paper, but was deemed a toss-up.
The rare and highly sought after seat was left vacant by longtime Congressman Tim Ryan (D) who ran for the U.S. Senate, ultimately falling to Republican JD Vance.
Sykes is a household name in the Akron area. She was born and raised in Akron and was elected to represent her hometown (OH-34) in November 2014. She became the first Black female lawmaker under the age of 30 to serve in the legislature.
Her parents, Vernon and Barbara Sykes, are also longtime Akron politicians; Vernon, a U.S. Senator and Barbara, a former state representative.
“I like to use my full name because I want to make sure that when I go to these spaces and places where people said I didn't belong, that they know that Emilia Strong Sykes, the granddaughter of the sharecropper and farmers from Arkansas, are going to be in the most important democracy in this world. I am going to carry their names with me proudly,” said Sykes during her victory speech at the Akron Civic Theatre, where she held her election night watch party.
Regardless of who was to win this election, this race has made history. Only 12 women have ever represented Ohio in Congress. This district makes it 13.