Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes has emerged victorious in a closely watched re-election battle, securing her seat against her GOP opponent in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
The Associated Press officially declared Sykes as the winner over former Ohio state Sen. Kevin Coughlin on Wednesday, just before 3 p.m. ET. Sykes, a first-term Democrat who previously won by a five-point margin in 2022, successfully defended her position in a district that encompasses parts of two counties that were solidly in favor of former President Trump during the 2020 election.
Describing the district as a true toss-up, Sykes emphasized its significance on a national scale, stating, 'This is as 50/50 of a district as it comes. It has been rated as such all across the country, and there are all eyes on Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.'
Hailing from a prominent political lineage in Akron, Sykes has deep roots in the political landscape. Both of her parents have previously served as state lawmakers, with her father, Vernon Sykes, currently holding a position as a state senator in Ohio.
