Rep. Mike Carey, a Republican, is running for reelection to represent Ohio's 15th Congressional District in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Carey has represented the district since 2021, according to BallotReady. He faces three challengers: Don Leonard (Democratic), Brennan Barrington (Libertarian) and Samuel Ronan (No Party Preference).

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Born: 1971
  • Hometown background: Raised in Cincinnati and later in Sabina, Ohio, according to his campaign website
  • Education: High school diploma, East Clinton High School; associate's degree in economics, Marion Military Institute, 1991; bachelor's degree in history, The Ohio State University, 1993
  • Military service: Officer, U.S. Army Reserve, 1989–1990

Experience and public service

Carey said he earned an ROTC scholarship and attended Marion Military Institute before completing his degree at Ohio State. Before entering Congress, he worked as a staff member in the Ohio Senate from 1991 to 1993 and as a congressional staff member in the U.S. House from 1995 to 1998, according to BallotReady profile data.

He served as president of the Ohio Coal Association from 1999 to 2012 and was principal at Move Ohio LLC from 2004 to 2011. He also served as vice president of government affairs at American Consolidated Natural Resources Inc. starting in 2020, according to BallotReady.

In Congress, Carey says he serves as vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, chairman of the House Communications Standards Commission and NRCC chair for operations and reform at the National Republican Congressional Committee.

On the issues

Taxes and spending: Carey says he worked with congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump to pass what his campaign calls "the largest tax cut in American history," according to his campaign priorities page. He said the legislation eliminated taxes on tips and overtime, added tax deductions for seniors on Social Security and made the 2017 tax cuts permanent. He also says he voted to codify cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency and to enact work requirements for Medicaid.

Immigration and border security: Carey says he voted for the Laken Riley Act, which he said raised penalties for immigrants in the country illegally who commit crimes and made them easier to deport. He also says he supported $175 billion for border security in the tax legislation.

Social Security: Carey says he played a role in passing the Social Security Fairness Act in 2025, which he said ended restrictions on Social Security benefits for retired public employees such as teachers, police officers and firefighters.

Criminal justice and public safety: Carey says he voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which he said classified fentanyl and its analogues as Schedule I substances and increased trafficking penalties. His campaign says he has secured more than $50 million for constituents, including a $25 million grant for road and bridge improvements on Alum Creek Drive in Franklin County.

Guns: Carey states on his campaign website that the right to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed."

Endorsements

The following endorsements are listed on Carey's campaign website or in BallotReady profile data:

  • Donald J. Trump, Save America PAC
  • American Israel Public Affairs Committee
  • Buckeye Firearms Association
  • Franklin County Republican Party
  • Guardian Fund PAC
  • Log Cabin Republicans

Candidate information was gathered from the candidate's campaign website and BallotReady profile data. Policy positions reflect the candidate's own statements.