Michael Todd Whitaker Carey (born March 13, 1971) is an American politician and former coal lobbyist serving as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 15th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, Carey was first elected in a 2021 special election.
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Early life and education
Carey was raised in Sabina, Ohio. After attending East Clinton High School, he earned an Associate of Arts degree in economics from the Marion Military Institute and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Ohio State University.
Career
Carey served in the Army National Guard from 1989 to 1999. As a college student, he worked as an aide to State Senator Merle G. Kearns. Carey, prior to his election, worked as vice president of government affairs for American Consolidated Natural Resources, a coal company. He was also chairman of the board of the Ohio Coal Association, prior to stepping down following his congressional run. During the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, Carey developed negative campaign ads against Democratic nominees John Kerry and Barack Obama.
As a result of his past career in the coal industry, Carey considers himself a "an advocate for coal miners and American energy independence" and prioritizes development of energy policy in the House of Representatives.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
Carey was the Republican nominee in the 2021 15th congressional district special election. He was endorsed by then former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence.
Carey received the most financial contributions out of all 11 candidates in the Republican primary, including from out-of-state donors and individuals in the coal and mining industries. Political commentators and journalists called the race "a test of Trump's influence over Republican politics." Carey won the special election on November 2.
117th Congress
In the 2022 midterm elections, Carey defeated the Democratic nominee, union leader Gary Josephson. Carey raised around $2.3 million for this election, the 251st-highest sum among elected representatives.
118th Congress
Before the 118th Congress, Carey declared his support for Kevin McCarthy's bid for House Speaker amid controversy about McCarthy's leadership following the 2022 midterm elections. Carey also announced his intention to "get on the Ways and Means Committee" in the 118th Congress. In mid-2023, Carey announced the re-launch of the "House Civility and Respect Caucus" with Representative Joyce Beatty, originally formed by Representative Steve Stivers and Beatty. The House Civility and Respect Caucus's expressed purpose is to "promote the use of respectful dialogue on challenging issues."
Following the ousting of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy in October 2023, Carey worked to gather votes for the election of Ohio Representative Jim Jordan's bid for Speaker of the House. Following Jordan's withdrawal from the speakership bid, Carey voted for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
Carey voted to provide Israel with military support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
119th Congress
Following the 2024 election of Donald Trump, Carey was considered a "top contender" to fill he U.S. Senate seat vacated by elected-Vice President J.D. Vance. In November 2024, the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters publicly endorsed Mike Carey as a candidate to fill the seat. Governor Mike DeWine appointed former-Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to fill the vacated seat.
Domestic relations
Carey has a deep and friendly relationship with the American Albanian community. He has frequently engaged with leaders and officials such as with the Albanian Ambassador Ervin Bushati.
Committee assignments
Committee on Ways and Means
Committee on House Administration
Caucus memberships
Black Maternal Health Caucus
Congressional Humanities Caucus
Personal life
Carey and his wife, Meghan, have two sons and reside in Columbus. Carey has a son named Prescott from a previous relationship; he also has a grandson. He is a Roman Catholic.