Carley attended Biola University, earning his bachelor's degree in 2005.

[1] In June 2024, Carley defeated Kirk Chaffee in the Republican primary election for the 29th district of the South Dakota Senate.

[2][3] No Democratic candidate or incumbent was nominated to challenge him in the general election.

[1] In January 28 2025, the South Dakota Senate voted 18 to 17 for a Carley bill.

The bill would mandate public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.