Emilia Sykes, Minority Leader in the Ohio House, announced she will resign her leadership position at the end of December.

Sykes stated she is considering any and all options to continue to serve her community and will announce a decision in the near future.

Sykes was the first Black female lawmaker in the Ohio Legislature under the age of 30 when she was elected in 2014.

She was elected House Minority Leader by her fellow Democrats in 2019.

Two-term Democratic state Rep. Martin Sweeney resigned from the House on Monday, October 1, with more than two months remaining on his term.

In his resignation letter, Sweeney referred to the next chapter of his professional career but did not state his plans.

Sweeney’s daughter Bride Rose is running to fill the seat. Rose will face Libertarian Ryan McClain in the November election.

Sweeney came to the House after serving as Cleveland City Council president.

The Ohio House of Representatives has approved House Bill 326, a bill setting criminal penalties for using taxpayer money for political activity. While it is currently illegal in the state to use taxpayer funds for campaign finance purposes, there is no penalty associated with such an action.

The bill calls for a $1,000 penalty and up to six months in jail for violators. The measure now proceeds to the Ohio Senate.