Calley campaigned to require Michigan health insurance plans to include coverage for autism therapies, signing into law a package providing for such reforms as acting governor.

In the 10 years preceding his election to the Michigan legislature, Calley held various positions within the banking industry, primarily making commercial loans.

He was named the 2008 "Legislator of the Year” by the state's Small Business Association, the first time a freshman lawmaker has received that designation.

[8] In 2010, despite securing the Republican nomination for state Senate days earlier, Calley was announced as gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder's running mate.

[13] For two years, he attended weekly classes at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University before receiving his Master of Public Administration in spring 2015.

As a state lawmaker Calley served on the Health Policy Committee and supported autism insurance reform - unaware his own child actually had the disorder.

[3][4][16] As lieutenant governor, Calley is widely credited for leading a successful legislative push to require that insurance companies cover treatments for autism.