Sykes, Emilia Strong

Emilia Strong Sykes is a Democratic Representative from Ohio's 13th Congressional District who has served in Congress since 2023. As Ranking Member of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee within the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, she leads the Democratic opposition on matters of federal science agency oversight, research integrity, and scientific enterprise accountability. She also serves as Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which oversees aviation, maritime, highways, railroads, and infrastructure matters. The Science, Space, and Technology Committee holds broad jurisdiction over NASA, the National Science Foundation, energy research, and civilian space exploration.

Sykes brings substantial legislative experience to her committee roles. Before entering Congress, she served eight years in the Ohio House of Representatives, including three years as House Minority Leader, where she demonstrated an ability to advance bipartisan legislation despite serving in the minority. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kent State University, a Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Family Law from the University of Florida, and a Master of Public Health. Born and raised in Akron, she comes from a family with deep roots in public service—her parents both served in the Ohio House, and the Sykes family held their state legislative seat for 40 years.

As a committee member, Sykes has advanced significant legislation focused on innovation, workforce development, and safety. She sponsored the Railroad Safety and Accountability Act following the 2023 East Palestine train derailment in Ohio and co-led the bipartisan RAIL Act to strengthen railroad safety regulations. She has championed bills supporting quantum technology supply chains, NASA workforce development through a talent exchange program, and modern airship research. She also secured Akron's designation as one of seven regional tech hubs in the country, focused on sustainable plastics and rubber manufacturing, projected to create 6,300 jobs and attract $1.8 billion in private investment.

Sykes is widely regarded as a moderate Democrat committed to bipartisan cooperation. She was the first Black person elected to represent Ohio's 13th Congressional District and has focused her legislative agenda on economic opportunity, workforce development, and innovation in her Northeast Ohio district, which has a historic legacy as the Rubber and Polymer capital of the world.