Who's running in Ohio's 13th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Emilia Sykes currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Abortion rights and reproductive health care; she is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Reproductive Freedom for All.
Gun violence prevention; she is endorsed by Giffords.
Federal employees' pay and protections; she is endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees.
Manufacturing and infrastructure investment in the Akron-Canton corridor.
Support for Israel alongside a negotiated settlement; she is endorsed by both AIPAC and J Street PAC.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 13th District since January 2023; re-elected in 2024 with 51.1%.
Minority leader of the Ohio House of Representatives before Congress; lawyer by training.
Raised $1.6 million in the cycle through the fourth quarter with $1.1 million on hand, at an average donation of about $21.
Her district was redrawn in 2025 to roughly 52-48 Democratic.
Arguments in favor
An unusually wide coalition of national organisations has endorsed her — abortion rights, gun safety, women's electoral, campaign finance and federal employee groups, alongside both AIPAC and J Street.
— Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All, EMILY's List, Elect Democratic Women, End Citizens United, Giffords, the American Federation of Government Employees, AIPAC and J Street PAC
The Ohio Conference of Teamsters endorsed her, and she has built one of the largest small-dollar campaign funds of any front-line House Democrat.
— Ohio Conference of Teamsters; fundraising reported by NOTUS
Arguments against
The National Republican Congressional Committee says she has ditched working Ohioans to appease the far left and that she is too extreme for the state.
— National Republican Congressional Committee
The same committee ran an advertising campaign in July 2026 arguing she put China first and American workers last.
— National Republican Congressional Committee advertising
What we couldn’t verify
Both criticisms come from the same source, the NRCC, and its characterisations were not independently verified; her response was not located.
The NRCC has also said she refuses to commit to debates; whether debates have since been agreed was not established.
Her campaign website address could not be confirmed against a live page; the link given is her official House site.
Opposition to national teachers' unions, which he says have hijacked education.
Support for President Trump's agenda.
Conservative positions developed over years as a talk radio host in the district.
Cost of living and manufacturing jobs in the Akron-Canton corridor.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former talk show host on WNIR-FM and television meteorologist; stepped away from radio to run.
Won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary with 47.3% in a five-candidate field.
Endorsed by the Summit County Republican Party.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
The county Republican party endorsed him before the primary and he then won it by nearly thirty points.
— Summit County Republican Party
The National Republican Congressional Committee launched an advertising campaign supporting him, treating the seat as a genuine pick-up chance.
— National Republican Congressional Committee
Arguments against
A recording from his campaign launch captured him saying national teachers' unions can go to hell and accusing public schools of shaming students who support President Trump — remarks reported as evidence of hostility toward public education.
— Recording of Coleman's campaign launch, reported by TiffinOhio.net
What we couldn’t verify
No response from Coleman to the reporting on those remarks was located, and no teachers' union statement responding to him was found.
His detailed federal policy positions beyond education and support for the president were not established from sources read.
His fundraising was not established from sources read; the incumbent had $1.1 million on hand at the last reported filing.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Ohio held its primary on May 5, 2026, under the new congressional map adopted in October 2025. Democratic incumbent Emilia Sykes faces Republican Carey Coleman, a former WNIR radio host and television meteorologist who won a five-way primary with 47.3%. The district covers most of the Akron-Canton corridor — all of Summit County and parts of Portage and Stark — and the redraw made it slightly more Democratic, at roughly 52-48. It is one of the most contested seats in the country and the National Republican Congressional Committee is spending here. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and NOTUS and WNIR reporting.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Ohio ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.