Sykes is the daughter of former state Representatives Vernon Sykes and Barbara Sykes, who collaboratively held the same seat from 1982 to 2014, meaning that the seat has been represented by a member of the Sykes family for over thirty years.
Kent State University.
Sykes is a graduate of Kent State University and received both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Public Health from the University of Florida. She also has served as an administrative adviser in the Summit County fiscal office. In 2013, Sykes decided to run for the Ohio House of Representatives to succeed her father, Vernon Sykes, who was term-limited.
She defeated Summit County Councilman Frank Communale to take the Democratic nomination.
Sykes defeated Republican Cynthia Blake 72%-28% to take the seat.
