Our Emilia Sykes

Blog | October 23, 2024

Should we re-elect Congresswoman Emilia Sykes to represent us in Washington, or should we elect Kevin Coughlin? Here in the 13th Congressional District, we have an important choice to make. The answer is clear.

As an advocate for reproductive freedom and abortion access, I’ve dealt with both of them when they served in the Ohio Legislature. Congresswoman Emilia Sykes has always been driven to build a community where everyone can thrive, and her support for access to abortion and other reproductive healthcare have been central to her work. In sharp contrast, Coughlin demonstrated a shocking disregard for the well-being of his constituents as he voted for every restriction on abortion and reproductive healthcare, regardless of the harm he knew they would cause.

Coughlin is clearly aware that he is out of step with the values of the 13th Congressional District which overwhelming voted for Issue 1 last year. When asked where he stands on abortion now, he has been evasive, refusing to talk to reporters. But his endorsement by Ohio Right to Life indicates he had no problem privately promising them that he would continue his record of voting to restrict and ban access to abortion.

Congresswoman Emilia Sykes has always fought against extremists like Coughlin. Following the recent US Supreme Court ruling that failed to enforce federal law requiring that hospitals treat patients in emergency situations, Emilia Sykes led the fight to push back and introduced a resolution to reaffirm access to emergency abortion care for all Americans.

This is literally a matter of life or death for people facing serious pregnancy complications in states that have banned abortion, and Congresswoman Emilia Sykes has their backs.

Emilia Sykes trust us to make our own decisions about abortion. Coughlin doesn’t. In fact, he is so cowardly he won’t even be straight with voters when asked where he stands.

Abortion access remains in serious jeopardy. Project 2025 and other plans by anti-abortion extremists call for a national ban on abortion that would supersede the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment.

I’m voting for Emilia Sykes, because I know that every vote she casts in Congress is a vote for the well-being of everyone in the 13th Congressional District and America. I hope you will join me.

For abortion, forever,

Kellie Copeland (she/her)
Abortion Forward Executive Director and lifelong Summit County resident