House Democrat Avoids Question on VP Harris’ Border Record
Democrat Rep. Emilia Sykes, who is seeking re-election in a vulnerable Ohio district, refused to answer questions about Vice President Harris’ immigration record on Tuesday. When asked in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., if she thinks Kamala Harris did a good job as the border czar, Sykes chose to ignore the question and continued walking. Pressed for a response with a follow-up question, Sykes still did not address the issue directly.
When the questioner insisted that Harris is the vice president, Sykes responded by claiming, “I don’t know who Kamala Harris is,” before entering her office. This interaction occurred just two days after Sykes publicly endorsed Harris.
In response to Sykes’ avoidance of the question, former Ohio Republican state Sen. Kevin Coughlin, who is running against Sykes in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, criticized her actions. Coughlin accused Harris, whom Sykes endorsed, of contributing to a significant humanitarian and security crisis at the border.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) defended Sykes by highlighting the mispronunciation of Harris’ name by Republican trackers and Coughlin. The DCCC Spokesperson, Aidan Johnson, emphasized the importance of showing respect by correctly pronouncing the Vice President’s name.
Sykes, a first-term Democrat who won by a narrow margin in 2022, faces a tough re-election battle in a district that includes areas where President Trump had strong support in the previous election. The Cook Political Report has classified the race as a “Democrat Toss Up,” indicating a high level of uncertainty regarding the outcome.
Despite endorsing Harris and vowing to unite with fellow Democrats around her candidacy, Sykes’ refusal to address questions about Harris’ performance as the border czar has raised concerns among constituents and political observers. As the election approaches, voters will be closely watching how Sykes navigates these challenging issues while seeking to retain her seat in Congress.
In conclusion, the interaction between Rep. Emilia Sykes and questions regarding Vice President Harris’ record on immigration highlights the complexities of political allegiances and accountability in a competitive electoral environment. The decision of public officials to address or evade such inquiries can have a significant impact on their electoral prospects and public perception.