Race for Representative: Micah McCarey

Photo via: Micah McCarey’s Instagram (@micahmccarey).

Micah McCarey is running for the 95th District seat of the Ohio House of Representatives. McCarey’s opponent on Nov. 5 is incumbent Rep. Don Jones. McCarey is a sitting Athens city council member and is the director of the Ohio University Pride Center.

As a city council member, McCarey has experience navigating issues surrounding the economy, environment and public safety; all of which are equally critical at the state level. “My time on Athens City Council has honed my ability to tackle complex issues while staying focused on what truly matters–serving the community,” McCarey said.

When asked what prompted him to run for office, McCarey shared, “I’m part of a growing chorus of Ohioans who feel like our state is moving backward—socially, educationally and environmentally. I want a seat at the legislative table to leverage my skills in collaboration and compassionate leadership for the benefit of our people, our planet and our prosperity.”

As an Ohio U alumnus and lifelong Ohioan, McCarey discussed his goals, stating: “I know how great this state is, but we’ve fallen behind in key areas like teacher pay, health outcomes, workforce participation and quality infrastructure.”

One of McCarey’s goals, if elected, would be to increase school funding. He intends to cultivate quality learning environments by improving teachers’ wages and upgrading facilities. He also hopes to improve broadband and high-speed internet access, particularly for rural areas.

McCarey believes in the importance of public schooling. He argued that school vouchers are often inappropriately used for private schools, but he is supportive of anything that can be done to alleviate disparities in education access due to resources. 

When it comes to issues of school curriculums, McCarey believes that school boards should critically evaluate their curriculum options, along with seeking input from teachers and professionals. He also supports protecting funding for the arts in school, and he is opposed to book banning.

McCarey supports small businesses, economic development and diversity. He seeks to direct more grant funding and loan access toward Southeast Ohio, as well as promote the state’s resources to help entrepreneurs.

“I focus on inclusive and sustainable growth. As a champion of the Athens 2040 Comprehensive Plan, I’m dedicated to ensuring that today’s progress builds a stronger, more resilient future,” McCarey stated.

As a city council member, McCarey has learned to establish partnerships with other communities to learn from one another and combat climate change in ways that work for them. McCarey seeks to fight for stronger drinking water protections, reduce food waste, promote education about environmentalism and invest in alternative energy. 

“We are seeing, right in our own community, the benefits of switching to renewable resources, and I hope we continue to inspire and share that work in the region,” McCarey said. He stated that sustainability is another form of demonstrating respect for the land and the planet, as well as giving back and keeping the world healthy for future generations. 

On the topic of gun violence, McCarey suggested that increasing access to mental health resources, as well as improving and maintaining systems for alerting professionals or authorities of possible danger, are viable ways to reduce crisis situations before they reach the point of violence. He also supported taking additional action to promote public safety through the process of acquiring a firearm or license.

“We want to recognize that this is a second amendment issue for some people, and it’s a school safety issue for others,” McCarey said. He added that both sides should have the opportunity to express their views so that solutions can be reached, rather than accepting the violence as inevitable.

When asked about the opioid epidemic, McCarey discussed healthcare access including and beyond addiction centers, such as mental health resources. He expressed support for social workers and peer support, as well as considering and addressing other possible factors like housing and economic insecurity.

McCarey believes healthcare is a universal right. He identified programs that warrant continuous support, like Medicare and Medicaid, to ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare. He also believes that the City of Athens offers quality healthcare to their unionized employees, which could benefit the economy by incentivizing more people to come work in the area. “I am for improving as many of those employee healthcare packages as possible,” McCarey said. 

McCarey also brought up the importance of bodily autonomy and keeping legislators out of doctors’ offices. McCarey expressed support for abortion as healthcare and the freedom of people to choose, based on personal experience and professional medical input, without interference from the government. 

When asked about Ohio’s investment in Israeli Bonds, McCarey cited his efforts to remain free of personal biases to accurately represent the will of the people. He brought up Athens City Council’s resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in February, when he chose to vote in support of the resolution following weeks of community advocacy.

Five of McCarey’s core values are “people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships.” He added, “These values shape every decision I make and reflect my commitment to creating long-term solutions that serve everyone in our community…My leadership is collaborative, creative and compassionate, always grounded in listening and working together to achieve meaningful results.”

McCarey hopes to see more cooperation and integrity in government. He also values making data-informed decisions across demographics to ensure that he accurately represents the interests of people from all walks of life, promoting “a more inclusive approach to policymaking that benefits every community.”

“As a city councilmember in Athens since 2021, I’ve had a lot of helpful legislative experiences to help me feel confident,” McCarey said. “I really want people to know that I am going to be here for them.”