AKRON – Politicians from both political parties are condemning threats of harm made against the Ohio House Minority leader and her father, a state senator.
State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) told Akron police she received a threatening call over the weekend. Her father is state Sen. Vernon Sykes.
Akron police Lt. Michael Miller says it appears the threats were politically motivated.
Both Sykes declined to comment Tuesday.
I was very disturbed to learn that threats of violence were made over the weekend against Ohio House Minority Leader @EmiliaSykesOH and State Senator @DrVernonSykes .
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 26, 2020
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine says it’s “reprehensible” that someone has threatened lawmakers for doing their jobs.
“Simply put: hatred has no place in Ohio, and violence will not be tolerated,” DeWine said.
I was very disturbed to learn that threats of violence were made over the weekend against Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes and State Senator Vernon Sykes. It is wrong. It is reprehensible, and it is unconscionable to threaten someone with violence for doing the job they were elected to do. Simply put: hatred has no place in Ohio, and violence will not be tolerated. -Gov. Mike DeWine
The top Republican and Democrat in the state Senate jointly condemned the threats, as did House Democraticleaders.
We condemn any threats of physical harm, or any other harm, against these public servants or any other Ohioans. Let us be absolutely clear: it is never acceptable to intimidate or threaten a public official, and it is a felony to do so. We have asked law enforcement to fully investigate this occurrence and prosecute the offenders to the fullest extent of the law. -joint statement from Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) and Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights)
The Sykes family epitomize what it means to be a public servant and their contributions to our state deserve to be applauded, not threatened. We lift the entire Sykes family up in our thoughts and prayers today and ask other Ohioans to do the same. -statement from House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus), House Minority Whip Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Assistant Minority Whip Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester)
Columbus and Akron police and Ohio State Highway Patrol are all investigating the incident.