Black Ohio lawmaker says she faces uneven scrutiny from security

COLUMBUS >> A black Ohio lawmaker says she’s being treated differently than white lawmakers by the Ohio Highway Patrol, which handles security at the Ohio Statehouse.

Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes says she was stopped last Wednesday by security despite displaying her security badge. The 32-year-old lawmaker says a similar instance happened last year when security stopped her to search her bag.

Sykes says many lawmakers and other staff go through the same doors as she does, but are not subjected to the same scrutiny.

She tells The Columbus Dispatch the uneven enforcement of security is a sign of “ongoing chaos at the Statehouse.”

Both House leaders and the Highway Patrol have scheduled meetings with Sykes to discuss the issue.