RICHFIELD, Ohio — With less than two weeks to go until election day, there’s extra attention being placed on some of Ohio’s congressional races.
The balance of power is up for grabs in Washington, and the race for Ohio’s 13th District could play a role in determining which party is able to claim it.
The District spans three separate counties in northeast Ohio and includes both Akron and Canton.
The race to represent Ohio’s 13th Congressional District is considered to be one of the most competitive congressional races not only in the state, but also across the country.
“This is as 50/50 of a district as it comes," Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes said. "It has been rated as such all across the country and there are all eyes on Ohio’s 13th congressional district."
The New York Times lists the race between Sykes and Republican challenger Kevin Coughlin as one of a couple dozen congressional races that it considers a tossup.
“We’ve got a little over two weeks to go. We’re in a tied ballgame,” Coughlin said.
Sykes, who’s finishing her first term, comes from a family engrained in politics. Both of her parents served as state lawmakers, and her dad is still a state Senator. She served for eight years in Columbus before going to Washington.
“I’ve had a bill passed and signed into law by President Biden, and it is to extend benefits to veterans for housing and homelessness and veteran healthcare benefits, which it is important to take care of those who took care of us,” Sykes said.
Coughlin isn’t new to politics either.
Starting in the mid-90s, he spent nearly 15 years as both a State Representative and State Senator.
And after more than a decade as the president of a company that advises businesses and nonprofits, he’s ready to jump back in.
He said his priorities range from curbing inflation, to reducing crime and enforcing immigration laws.
“It’s frustration over illegal immigration, it’s frustration over the cost-of-living crisis and the fact that everything costs too much and our politicians are taking away that American dream from them,” Coughlin said.
As for Sykes, she said her priorities for her second term include creating jobs, expanding access to healthcare and keeping communities safe.
“I’ve worked with people all across this country, Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate to make our community safe whether through immigration, through domestic violence bills for community policing, and then we want to make sure that we protect our freedoms,” Sykes said.
While the 13th District’s geography has evolved, it has been represented by a Democrat for almost 50 years.
But now, it may be up for grabs.
“This is a really unique election because typically when you knock on Republican doors, you hear one set of issues, you go to a Democratic door, and you hear a totally different set of issues," Coughlin said. "What we’re hearing from voters this year is across the board alignment on the issues that are important to them."