Candidate for U.S. Representative, Ohio District 15
Mike Carey
RepublicanIncumbent
Mike Carey, a Republican from Columbus, has represented Ohio's 15th District since winning a 2021 special election. Before that he spent more than 20 years as an energy-industry executive. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Committee on House Administration. His campaign describes him as an "America First" outsider and emphasizes tax cuts and affordability, Social Security and public safety.
- Current or most recent role
- U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District (since 2021)
- Hometown
- Columbus (raised in Sabina)
- Campaign website
- careyforcongress.com
Why they say you should vote for them
The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.
- Campaigns under the slogan "America First. Outsider. Ready to fight."[1]
- Says he is "Delivering a More Affordable Future" by cutting taxes, creating jobs and curbing inflation, and says he helped pass the Working Families Tax Cuts.[2]
- Says he has secured more than $50 million for Ohio constituents and local projects.[2]
- Highlights co-founding the Civility and Respect Caucus with Rep. Joyce Beatty (D), saying leaders can "stand firm on their principles while working together."[2]
Background
- U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District; member, Ways and Means Committee and Committee on House Administration, U.S. House of Representatives · 2021–present[3],[4]
- Chairman of the board and president, Ohio Coal Association[4]
- Vice president of government affairs, American Consolidated Natural Resources, Inc.[4]
- Vice president of government affairs, Murray Energy Corporation[4]
- Officer, U.S. Army National Guard/Reserve, U.S. Army · 1989–1999[4],[5]
Education
Where they stand
- TaxesSays he helped pass the Working Families Tax Cuts and that cutting taxes is central to lowering living costs.[2]
- Social Security & MedicareSays he is committed to strengthening Social Security and protecting earned benefits; cites his push for scrutiny of Social Security overpayment notices and his support for the Social Security Fairness Act.[2]
- Energy & EnvironmentReintroduced the Pay Less at the Pump Act (2026) with Sen. John Barrasso, which would repeal the Superfund excise tax on crude oil received at U.S. refineries and on imported petroleum products.[6]
- HousingIntroduced the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Carryback Act (H.R. 9012) with Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D), which would extend the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit carryback period from one year to five.[7]
- Public SafetySays he supports law enforcement and border security, citing his support for the Laken Riley Act and the HALT Fentanyl Act.[2]
- Government EthicsCo-sponsored the Stop Insider Trading Act, which would bar members of Congress from buying new individual stocks while in office, and voted to advance it in committee in January 2026.[8]
Voting record
A selection of notable recorded votes. Not a complete record.
| Measure | Vote | Date |
|---|---|---|
| H.R. 7148 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Senate amendments) Full-year fiscal 2026 funding package for most federal agencies plus short-term Homeland Security funding; ended a four-day partial shutdown (passed 217–214). (U.S. House) | Yes[14],[18] | Feb 3, 2026 |
| S. 1071 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 Compromise annual defense policy bill authorizing about $900 billion for national defense programs (House agreed to the House-Senate agreement 312–112). (U.S. House) | Yes[13],[17] | Dec 10, 2025 |
| H.R. 5371 – Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 (Senate amendment) Ended the 43-day federal government shutdown, funding most agencies through Jan. 30, 2026 (passed 222–209). (U.S. House) | Yes[12],[15] | Nov 12, 2025 |
| H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act Budget reconciliation bill extending the 2017 individual tax cuts, changing Medicaid and SNAP rules, increasing border and defense spending, and raising the debt limit (final House passage of Senate version; passed 218–214). (U.S. House) | Yes[9] | Jul 3, 2025 |
| H.R. 1968 – Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 Funded the federal government through Sept. 30, 2025, largely at fiscal 2024 levels (passed 217–213). (U.S. House) | Yes[10],[16] | Mar 11, 2025 |
| S. 5 – Laken Riley Act Requires federal detention of certain noncitizens without legal status who are charged with or arrested for theft-related or certain violent crimes (final House passage; passed 263–156). (U.S. House) | Yes[11] | Jan 22, 2025 |
In their words
“Cheaper energy translates into cheaper goods for Americans at every level of the supply chain,”
“Affordable housing projects depend on stable investment”
“This bill is the bare minimum that constituents should expect from their elected representatives”
Sources
- Carey for Congress (campaign homepage), Carey for Congress
- Priorities, Carey for Congress
- About Mike Carey, Office of Rep. Mike Carey (carey.house.gov)
- Mike Carey (Ohio), Ballotpedia
- Mike Carey (politician), Wikipedia
- Carey, Barrasso Reintroduce Pay Less at the Pump Act to Lower Energy Prices for American Workers, Office of Rep. Mike Carey, February 12, 2026
- Carey, Panetta Introduce the Affordable Housing Credit Carryback Act, Office of Rep. Mike Carey, May 29, 2026
- Carey Votes to Advance Congressional Stock Trading Ban Out of Committee, Office of Rep. Mike Carey, January 14, 2026
- Roll Call 190 | Bill Number: H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, July 3, 2025
- Roll Call 70 | Bill Number: H.R. 1968, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, March 11, 2025
- Roll Call 23 | Bill Number: S. 5 – Laken Riley Act, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, January 22, 2025
- Roll Call 285 | Bill Number: H.R. 5371, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, November 12, 2025
- Roll Call 320 | Bill Number: S. 1071, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, December 10, 2025
- Roll Call 53 | Bill Number: H.R. 7148, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, February 3, 2026
- House passes bill to end historic government shutdown, sending measure to Trump, OPB (Associated Press), November 12, 2025
- Congress passes “full-year” Continuing Resolution through September 30, 2025, National Association of Counties, March 14, 2025
- FY2026 NDAA: Status of Legislative Activity, Congressional Research Service (via EveryCRSReport), February 10, 2026
- House Repasses Five Full-Year Funding Bills, Restores Government Stability, House Appropriations Committee, February 3, 2026
Photo: Official portrait, U.S. House of Representatives (Public domain (U.S. government work)).
Last reviewed October 9, 2026. Spot an error or something missing? Report a correction.
Also running for U.S. Representative, Ohio District 15
- Brennan Barrington (Libertarian)
- Don Leonard (Democratic)