Emilia Sykes

Former radio talk show host Carey Coleman won a five-way Republican U.S. congressional primary May 5 to become the party's candidate for Ohio's 13th District seat opposite incumbent Democratic Rep. Democrat Emilia Sykes.

Republican voters gave the nod to media veteran Carey Coleman. Unofficial final results from the Ohio Secretary of State showed Coleman won with 47.3% of the vote – 28½ points ahead of the next closest finisher.

Coleman said he joined the race because he wants to improve public safety and border security, protect constitutional rights, and “generally speaking, try to keep taxes under control so working families have more of what they earn.”

Sykes, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, thanked her supporters in a May 6 Facebook post and looked toward the battle ahead for a third term.

"I’m honored to officially be the Democratic nominee to continue serving as your Congresswoman. It’s going to take every one of us in November to win this election to lower costs, keep communities safe, and expand opportunity, but I know we will do it – together," she said.

Coleman also took to Facebook following his victory, posting "I’m honored and humbled to officially be your Republican nominee for Congress in Ohio’s 13th District. This victory belongs to every volunteer, supporter, and voter who believes Northeast Ohio deserves strong leadership and real results. Now we take this fight to November and together, we’re going to win. Let’s get to work."

Coleman, 66, is a former WNIR-FM radio host and television meteorologist who announced he was stepping away from his radio duties to run for Congress. He said he’s lived in Sagamore Hills for the past 12 years.

Leetonia Mayor Kevin Siembida came in second with 18.77% of the vote. Retired consultant Margaret Briem took third with 16.90%. Life insurance agent Neil Patel came in fourth with 14.47%, while medical researcher Sanjin Drakovac took 2.57%.

In 2025, the 13th District was redrawn. The new map favors Democrats by a 3% to 4% margin, prompting Republican Kevin Coughlin to withdraw. He battled Sykes for the seat in 2024, coming within striking distance. Previously, it was classified as one of the few real tossup districts in the country, being split nearly 50/50 along party lines.

The district's new boundary includes all of Summit County, a swath of northwestern Stark County and the Kent area in western Portage County.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at [email protected] or 330-541-9413.