By Savana Capp

National issues such as ICE officers in Minnesota and the Epstein files have kept Summit County’s representatives and senators vocal as 2026 kicks off. 

In January, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) spoke out against multiple ICE actions. She released a statement Jan. 8 urging for a full investigation, demanding accountability after the death of Renee Good. 

“The video of the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good is devastating to watch and raises questions about the use of deadly force,” said Sykes in a press release. "This event must be treated professionally and with a full investigation and complete transparency. As ICE agents have been deployed across the country, the administration must ensure they are adequately trained to de-escalate tense situations and maintain the safety of the American people. I will work with my colleagues to ensure accountability and safety.”

Ohio Sen. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) seconded Sykes' demands for accountability after the Minneapolis shooting Jan. 8, as well as posted about the detaining of children from the Minnesota school district. 

“This sent a shock down my spine and shakes me to my core. I have young children and cannot fathom this happening to them. This is not America,” he said in a post. “I know I’m just an Ohio State Senator, but I will NOT stop talking about what is happening in our country and I will NOT stop doing everything in my power to fight for us ALL - and for our Constitutional rights.”

After another fatal shooting, Sykes released another statement on Jan. 24, saying the event was a result of dangerous tactics ordered by President Donald Trump, enabled by Kristi Noem. 

“Their approach is escalating chaos, putting innocent lives at risk, and shredding public trust. Communities deserve protection, not lawlessness,” she said in a press release.

State Rep. Derrick Hall (D-Akron) posted a statement on social media Feb. 6 in response to ICE activity, along with resources and upcoming legislation to support.

“The inhumane, unjust treatment of communities across the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a blatant abuse of power and truly a tragedy,” he wrote. “As a public servant, I have seen firsthand how ICE’s actions are dismantling trust between citizens and law enforcement, an element that is crucial to sustaining a safe and prosperous country.”

Weinstein posted, “UNREDACT THE EPSTEIN CLASS” Feb. 10, saying Congressman Jamie Raskin searched President Donald Trump’s name in the unredacted files and it came up more than a million times. 

As vice chair of the The Democratic Women’s Caucus, Sykes posted about fighting for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein to get justice. 

“A system that protects perpetrators and exposes victims is not a just one,” Sykes said in a post. 

State Rep. Veronica R. Sims (D-Akron) helped sponsor legislation to establish minimum standards for all Ohio facilities, including medical care, weather-appropriate clothing and adequate meals. The bill also would re-affirm detainees’ rights to reasonable wages for all labor, as well as access to communicate with friends, family and legal representatives. 

“No child or adult, regardless of criminal background or immigration status, should be denied basic humanity simply because they are behind bars,” said Sims in a press release. “This is not a partisan issue; it is a human dignity issue. This legislation isn’t asking for the extraordinary; it is demanding the essential.” 

State Rep. Jack Daniels (R-New Franklin) introduced H.B. 678 with Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) Feb. 4 to modify sections of the Ohio Revised Code concerning motor vehicle registration and the financial responsibility laws. The bill would implement an online verification process, allowing registrars to confirm proof of financial responsibility of an applicant during their registration or renewal process. 

The bill was referred to the Committee of Transportation Feb. 18. 

Weinstein along with Sen. Jane Timken (R-Jackson Twp.) introduced S.B. 352 Feb. 10. The bipartisan legislation would allow for behavioral health screenings in the perinatal period, establishing that health care professionals could screen individuals for behavioral health disorders during the perinatal period, ensuring they receive direct referral to the care needed. 

“No mother should have to suffer in silence. It’s time for Ohio to prioritize the health of our mothers and children, and I’m proud to work across the aisle to move this forward,” Weinstein said in a post.

Sykes was one of a number of cosponsors of the reintroduced End Prison Gerrymandering Act Feb. 4. H.R. 7375 would require the U.S. Census Bureau to count individuals who are incarcerated from their last place of residence, not the prison they are held at the time of the Census. 

People who are incarcerated are currently counted as residents of correctional facilities, often located in rural areas, instead of the communities they lived and worked in. This practice is known as prison gerrymandering and gives political power to some districts at the expense of communities of color and urban communities. 

“All Americans have a constitutional right to equal representation in their government,” Sykes said in a press release. “This legislation will allow fair and accurate representation for all communities — rural, urban, and suburban — to create a stronger, more representative democracy.”

The bill was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. 

Hall and State Sen. Kristina Roegner were not yet the primary sponsors of any bills. 

Sykes voted yes on H.R. 980, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act, which would remove the requirement that academic and vocational counseling services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs on campus at higher learning institutions be given by VA counselors. 

The bill was passed by the House Feb. 2, 402-2. 

She also voted yes on H.R. 3123, the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act, which would establish procedures for the VA to issue a pension that was due but unpaid at the time of a veteran’s death. The pension must be paid to first available recipient on the list: 

The bill passed the House Feb. 2, 405-1. 

Sykes voted in support of two more veteran-related legislations: H.R. 658, which would set qualifications for marriage and family therapists in the Veterans Health Administration and H.R. 1458, the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025. 

“These bills reflect a simple promise that when our veterans serve our country, our country must serve them back,” Sykes said in a press release. 

On the anniversary of Roe V. Wade, Sykes released a statement reaffirming the fight for reproductive freedom.

“Roe v. Wade protected generations of women's right to make personal medical decisions for nearly 50 years,” she said in a press release. “When it was overturned in 2022, fundamental rights were stripped away, and nearly four years later, women in Ohio and across the country are still under attack.”

Sykes said she will continue to stand up for reproductive rights. 

She also voted against two Republican-backed bills that would undermine reproductive freedoms further and divert public resources from families and students who need them.  

One would increase the use of federal anti-poverty funds for crisis pregnancy centers, which are not required to provide comprehensive or medically accurate reproductive health care. The second bill targets college campuses with pregnancy-related requirements, despite federal protections against pregnancy discrimination. 

In collaboration with the New Democrat Coalition, Sykes on Feb. 11 released the Affordability Agenda, a roadmap to making life more affordable. The policies focus on lowering five core costs: health care, housing, energy, family care and household essentials, such as groceries.

“Every day I hear from my constituents that the cost of living is too high and only getting worse. Our economy is unaffordable for working people, and it's putting the American dream out of reach. I know folks in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District are looking for real solutions, not lip service from politicians in Washington,” Sykes said in a press release. 

Sykes posted against the SAVE America Act, saying it’s “not about election integrity. It’s about voter suppression.” 

The act would require voters to have an ID and proof of citizenship with matching names, so married women who have taken their spouse's last name would have to jump through “additional, burdensome hoops” to vote, she said. 

Daniels hosted a campaign kickoff fundraiser on Feb. 5 at the Firestone Country Club. 

He posted on social media to promote the event in January, “I cannot tell you how honored I am to have the opportunity to represent Southern Summit County in the Ohio Statehouse. I feel I’m doing good work for the region and for the State of Ohio!” 

Sims called for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to reject FirstEnergy’s request to lower the state’s reliability standards and allow for longer and recurring power outages. 

“Ohio families, businesses, and hospitals all depend on reliable electricity every single day, and they should not be asked to accept more outages or longer delays because a utility failed to invest in its infrastructure. For some residents of my district, the delays could be a matter of life and death,” Sims said in a press release.

Like Sims, Weinstein posted against FirstEnergy’s request to lower the customers’ reliability standards. 

“No, FirstEnergy, I will not support lowering your reliability standards for your customers and the Ohioans I serve. We’ve subsidized your business enough. We pay enough in rates. It’s not on us to bail you out,” he said in a post.  

Roegner posted about her sponsor testimony in Columbus Feb. 10 and 11 for S.B. 300, as well as for S.B. 320.