Carey
Coleman
Republican challenger Carey Coleman, a former WNIR-FM radio host and TV meteorologist, faces Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes in Ohio's 13th District in 2026.
- sources
- 13
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 9
Background
Carey Coleman is the 2026 Republican nominee for Ohio's 13th Congressional District, challenging Democratic incumbent Emilia Sykes in the November 3 general election. The Federal Election Commission classifies him as a challenger, not an incumbent. 112
Before entering politics, Coleman worked as a radio host at WNIR-FM in Northeast Ohio and as a television meteorologist on national, statewide, and local outlets. A March 2026 news report described him as a former WNIR-FM radio host who stepped away from his radio duties to run for Congress. 1719
Coleman has lived in Sagamore Hills, Ohio, for approximately 12 years, and the FEC lists his campaign committee's mailing address there. The sources reviewed do not identify any prior elected offices. 171915
Coleman received endorsements from the Summit County GOP and Ohio Value Voters ahead of the primary. His campaign platform centers on lower taxes, job creation, and public safety. 161925
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 13, Ohio
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- careycoleman.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 7newsAkron Press Club announces Coleman scheduled to speak at lunch event on Oct. 13
The Akron Press Club announced separate lunch appearances for the OH-13 candidates: Coleman on October 13 and Sykes on October 15. These are separate events, not a joint debate.
Ohio 13th Congressional District candidates to speak during lunch events · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsCleveland.com reports Coleman door-knocking, criticizing Sykes, and questioning her residency
Cleveland.com reported Coleman was door-knocking, putting up yard signs, and speaking at events. He criticized Sykes and national Democrats as moving toward socialism, raised concerns about data centers' effects on farmland and utility rates, and questioned Sykes's district residency. The article noted Ohio law does not require members of Congress to live in their districts. The same report noted Cook Political Report had shifted the race from 'Tossup' to 'Likely Democrat.'
Ohio 13th District 2026: Sykes, Coleman and Dixit face off · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsColeman publishes opinion piece saying he wants to be 'a voice' for Northeast Ohio
In an opinion piece republished by Yahoo News, Coleman wrote he was 'not seeking a career path or a title' and wanted to be 'a voice for all of the wonderful people in Northeast Ohio.'
Carey Coleman wants to give 13th District 'a voice' in Congress · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsBeacon Journal reports Coleman relying on grassroots outreach as early voting nears
The Akron Beacon Journal described Coleman's campaign as grassroots-focused as the early-voting period approached. The redrawn 13th District includes all of Summit County, part of Stark County, and the Kent area in western Portage County; new boundaries were reported to favor Democrats by roughly 3–4 points.
Sykes faces new GOP opponent Coleman in U.S. House OH-13 race · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24filingColeman certified on general-election ballot per Summit County Board of Elections
A campaign-profile compilation citing the Summit County Board of Elections listed Coleman as the Republican candidate on the certified general-election candidate list. No ballot-certification issues were reported.
Carey Coleman (R) — U.S. Representative, OH-13 | 2026 profile · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 5newsColeman meets voters at Stark County Fair, outlines policy priorities
Coleman attended the Stark County Fair and described his priorities as bringing down prices, growing jobs, and improving public safety. He said he was 'certainly not thinking of myself in any way, shape, or form as a career politician.'
Ohio 13th District 2026: Sykes, Coleman and Dixit face off · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingFEC mid-year filings show Coleman raised $127,109 with $77,727 cash on hand
Coleman's campaign committee reported $127,109 raised, $49,382 spent, $77,727 cash on hand, and $57,778 in debts, including $51,000 in candidate loans. By contrast, Sykes had raised about $3.1 million with roughly $1.9 million remaining.
Carey Coleman (R) — U.S. Representative, OH-13 | 2026 profile · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 13debateColeman publicly challenges Sykes to three fall debates
Coleman called on Sykes to debate three times, saying voters wanted candidates to 'look them in the eye and answer the question.' Sources reviewed do not confirm Sykes agreed or that any debate was held.
Carey Coleman (R) — U.S. Representative, OH-13 | 2026 profile · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 5filingColeman wins GOP nomination in five-candidate Republican primary for OH-13
Coleman won the Republican primary with approximately 47.3% of the vote (reported variously as 20,255 or 20,322 votes), becoming the GOP challenger to incumbent Democrat Emilia Sykes. Sources do not reconcile the vote-count discrepancy.
Ohio Primary Election Results 2026 · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Freedom for All PAC organizationListed on iVoterGuide's primary election profile; date and whether endorsement carried to general election not established. ivoterguide.com
- Heidi Workman otherListed on iVoterGuide's primary election profile; date and whether endorsement carried to general election not established. ivoterguide.com
- Ohio Citizens PAC organizationListed as an endorsement on iVoterGuide's Coleman general election profile. ivoterguide.com
- Bill Roemer officialListed as an endorsement on iVoterGuide's Coleman general election profile. ivoterguide.com
- We the People Convention organizationListed as an endorsement on iVoterGuide's Coleman general election profile. ivoterguide.com
- Tim Barhorst officialListed under 'Other' endorsements on iVoterGuide's Coleman general election profile. ivoterguide.com
- Ohio Right to Life PAC organizationListed in the PAC's 2026 general election candidate recommendations for District 13. ohiolife.org · Aug 10, 2026
- Ohio Value Voters organizationColeman's campaign posted that the group had 'officially backed' him. x.com · Mar 26, 2026
- Summit County Republican Party organizationUnanimous endorsement reported by the Akron Beacon Journal and TiffinOhio; dated March 22, 2026. beaconjournal.com · Mar 22, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $127K
- Spent
- $49K
- Cash on hand
- $78K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6OH13307(opens in a new tab)
Sources 13
- [1] Ohio Primary Election Results 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Ohio 13th Congressional District candidates to speak during lunch events(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] Ohio 13th District 2026: Sykes, Coleman and Dixit face off(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [4] Carey Coleman(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [5] Carey Coleman wants to give 13th District 'a voice' in Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [6] Sykes faces new GOP opponent Coleman in U.S. House OH-13 race(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [7] Carey Coleman - Ohio Republican Primary(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [8] Carey Coleman (R) — U.S. Representative, OH-13 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [9] Ohio Right to Life PAC Announces 2026 General Election ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 10, 2026
- [10] ICYMI: Carey Coleman's Message to Ohio Teachers: “Go to Hell”(opens in a new tab) May 14, 2026
- [11] It's primary election day in Akron area. Here's what's at stake(opens in a new tab) May 5, 2026
- [12] ENDORSED! Ohio Value Voters has officially backed Carey ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 26, 2026
- [13] Issues - Carey Coleman(opens in a new tab) Feb 17, 2026