Vulnerable Democrats, National Scrutiny, and the Battle for House Control

Ohio is poised to play a significant role in determining which party controls the House of Representatives following the 2026 midterm elections. Two Democratic representatives from Ohio, Marcy Kaptur and Emilia Sykes, are considered vulnerable. Both are on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s front-line members list and are targets of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Last November, Sykes narrowly won reelection. The presidential race in her district was also very close, with Kamala Harris narrowly winning. Sykes has been aligning herself with more progressive figures, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas.

Sykes and Crockett have collaborated on fundraising efforts, potentially allowing them to raise more money. They also appeared together at an event celebrating the Akron Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Crockett has gained attention for her liberal views and is currently under investigation by the Federal Election Commission regarding campaign donations.

While some vulnerable House Democrats have voted with Republicans, Sykes has generally voted with more liberal members on key legislation. Despite voting in favor of the Laken Riley Act, she has also voted in favor of allowing illegal immigrants to vote in U.S. elections. She has also voted for upholding an electric vehicle mandate and against restricting funds for educational institutions aligned with the Chinese Communist Party.

Sykes has also received campaign contributions from outside of Ohio, including from California, New York, and Maryland. Ohio Republicans are using the upcoming New York City mayoral election to their advantage, criticizing a Democrat and urging New York City voters to move to Ohio. The National Republican Congressional Committee has criticized Sykes for her association with Crockett and for ignoring requests for comment regarding the New York City mayoral candidate.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has accused Sykes of pushing a far-left agenda and prioritizing her association with Crockett over delivering results for Ohioans. Her opponent from the previous election, Kevin Coughlin, is planning to challenge her again and has criticized her liberal voting record. The race is currently considered a "toss-up" by political analysts. Ohio's redistricting efforts will also be nationally relevant for the 2026 midterm elections.