Rep. Sykes blasts VP JD Vance for referring to Akron, Canton as ‘lawless’

AKRON, Ohio — During his stop in Canton on Monday, Vice President JD Vance touted the newly-passed spending package that Republicans are calling the “One Big, Beautiful Bill.”

He also named Akron and Canton as two cities in Ohio where people may not feel safe to go downtown.

“How many of you all have wanted to go to downtown Akron or downtown Canton or downtown Columbus for a meal, but you’re worried because the local authorities in these big cities have allowed lawlessness to run wild? We have got to make great American cities safe again for families and children,” Vance told the audience at Metallus, a steel manufacturing company. 

On Wednesday, Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes, who represents Akron and portions of Canton as part of Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, responded to Vance’s remark.

“I am deeply and bitterly disappointed with the Vice President’s remarks about Akron and Canton, two diverse and vibrant communities in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District,” Sykes wrote in a statement. 

“Just because the hearts and souls of our communities beat a little differently than what you’re used to in Silicon Valley or Washington, it doesn’t mean we’re any less than you or the friends that you fled Ohio to be closer to. Please give me a call as soon as you’re ready to visit our communities, meet our neighbors, and lend your influence to help us build toward a brighter future, rather than using your platform for a cheap publicity stunt to insult us,” she added.

“My invitation for you to come to Ohio’s 13th Congressional District remains open.”

Vance mentioned Sykes by name in his speech at Metallus, criticizing the Democratic lawmaker for voting against the sweeping tax and spending law.

“Emilia, why not work hard with us to make the legislation better? If you disagreed with it, the Oval Office is always open,” Vance said during his speech.

Rep. Sykes responded to the remarks about the legislation in an interview with 3News on Monday.

“I could not support a bill that’s going to lead to joblessness and unemployment in my community. I can’t support a bill that is going to increase energy rates up to $400 a year. I can’t support a bill that’s going to add $3.4 trillion to the United States deficit,” she said.

Sykes also defended her efforts to improve the bill and condemned what she described as misleading statements from the vice president.

“I’m angry actually that he would come to this district and lie and mislead constituents and make it seem as though, one, I didn’t do my due diligence,” she told 3News. “I shared and offered help not once, not twice, but three times in committee offering amendments that were voted down by party lines.”

Vance’s visit  as Republicans aim to flip Ohio’s 13th District in 2026. The National Republican Congressional Committee has listed the seat — currently held by Sykes — as one of its top targets, naming her the 14th most vulnerable Democrat in the U.S. House.

“My job is to work for the people of Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. That’s what I have been doing today and that’s what I will continue to do,” Sykes added.

We streamed video of Vance’s speech in Canton, which you can watch below:

Doug Petcash of 10TV WBNS in Columbus contributed to this report