Carey graduated from Wellston High School and attended Ohio University, where he earned a degree in political science.

[4] Again term limited, Carey returned to the Ohio House in 2010, and ran to succeed Clyde Evans.

With Carey a key player in Ohio education reform as Chairman of the Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee, Carey is leading an effort to reform Ohio school funding, and to change the current evidence based model.

Carey introduced legislation, along with Casey Kozlowski, that would allow for five calamity days starting as early as the present school year.

[10] As vice chairman of the Finance Committee, Carey was responsible for appropriating the privatization of the Ohio Department of Development.

[14] The goal of a conference committee is to discuss differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget legislation and decide on a common solution.