Vernon Sykes Sworn into Office as State Senator
January 4, 2021
Vernon Sykes News
Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) took the oath of office to serve his second term in the Ohio Senate during the 134th General Assembly.
“It is an honor to serve as state senator and I am profoundly grateful that my constituents have chosen me to continue representing them at the Statehouse,” Sykes said. “We have a tough year ahead as we work to overcome the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic. We must make sure we do so in a way that improves the quality of life of all Ohioans. I will keep fighting to reform Ohio’s unconstitutional school funding system and to ensure our state legislative and Congressional districts represent Ohioans more fairly.”
Senator Sykes represents the 28th Senate District, which includes Akron, Barberton, Coventry, Green, Lakemore, Mogadore, Springfield, Tallmadge and potions of Bath and Cuyahoga Falls.
He has dedicated much of his life to public service. Senator Sykes, who started his political career on Akron City Council, was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1983 to 2000 and then again from 2007 to 2014. He was first elected to the Ohio Senate in 2016. During his time in office, Senator Sykes has fought to expand access to early childhood education and make higher education more affordable. He has also passed bipartisan legislation to fight child abuse and prevent housing discrimination against people with disabilities. As a longtime advocate for redistricting reform, Sykes’s bipartisan efforts led to ballot initiatives to reform the way Ohio’s state legislative and congressional districts are drawn that were met with overwhelming voter approval. He currently serves on the Ohio Controlling Board and is a member of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, where he will serve as parliamentarian during the 134th General Assembly.
Senator Sykes is married to Barbara Sykes, president and CEO of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. They have two daughters, Stancy and Emilia, and two grandchildren, Hugh and Hope.
“It is an honor to serve as state senator and I am profoundly grateful that my constituents have chosen me to continue representing them at the Statehouse,” Sykes said. “We have a tough year ahead as we work to overcome the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic. We must make sure we do so in a way that improves the quality of life of all Ohioans. I will keep fighting to reform Ohio’s unconstitutional school funding system and to ensure our state legislative and Congressional districts represent Ohioans more fairly.”
Senator Sykes represents the 28th Senate District, which includes Akron, Barberton, Coventry, Green, Lakemore, Mogadore, Springfield, Tallmadge and potions of Bath and Cuyahoga Falls.
He has dedicated much of his life to public service. Senator Sykes, who started his political career on Akron City Council, was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1983 to 2000 and then again from 2007 to 2014. He was first elected to the Ohio Senate in 2016. During his time in office, Senator Sykes has fought to expand access to early childhood education and make higher education more affordable. He has also passed bipartisan legislation to fight child abuse and prevent housing discrimination against people with disabilities. As a longtime advocate for redistricting reform, Sykes’s bipartisan efforts led to ballot initiatives to reform the way Ohio’s state legislative and congressional districts are drawn that were met with overwhelming voter approval. He currently serves on the Ohio Controlling Board and is a member of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, where he will serve as parliamentarian during the 134th General Assembly.
Senator Sykes is married to Barbara Sykes, president and CEO of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. They have two daughters, Stancy and Emilia, and two grandchildren, Hugh and Hope.