U.S. Rep. Sykes talks redistricting in Ohio at Canton town hall

Her 13th Congressional District and U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur's 9th District could be targets for Republicans aiming to gerrymander a majority in 2026

By Nick Evans
The Ohio Capital Journal

CANTON — About 200 Canton residents gathered at a Plumbers and Pipefitters union hall Tuesday to hear from Democratic U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes. The Akron native represents Ohio’s 13th congressional district, covering all of Summit County and the Northwest portion of Stark County including Canton.

But Sykes told the crowd that might change. Later this year Ohio state lawmakers have to redraw the state’s congressional map because the previous version passed along party lines. As the Trump administration pushes states like Texas and Indiana to come up with more Republican-friendly districts, Sykes knows she has a target on her back.

“I have always been the apple of the eye of the Republicans in this congressional seat,” she said in an interview, noting the past two elections in the 13th district have cost almost $50 million.

“There’s no reason for me to think that all of a sudden, in 2026 they’ve decided they don’t care about Ohio 13,” Sykes said.