Ohio 15th District
Mike Carey (R) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Mike Carey
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 110 of 115 votes and bills.
Raised $4,184,981 since January 2025: 52% from PACs and other committees, 29% from people, 18% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Don Leonard
Democrat · former Ohio State professor of city planning
FLiberty Score F24 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Leonard has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Leonard.
Raised $1,329,844 since January 2025: 82% from people, 13% transfers and other income, 4% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Mike Carey. Mike Carey: A, 97 out of 100 from recorded votes. Don Leonard: F, 24 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Ohio: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Don Leonard, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Leonard, so the grade above comes from this list: what Leonard has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Called the war with the Islamic Republic insane and said it serves Benjamin Netanyahu, not the national interest.
“this insane war with Iran that has nothing to do with our national interests and everything to do with Benjamin Netanyahu and his control over the President of the United States”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Condemning the war against the Islamic Republic as against the national interest is opposing action against the regime.
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In a video after winning the May 2026 primary he spoke of 'the genocide in Gaza', as quoted by the Washington Free Beacon (the campaign later deleted the video).
“We sent a signal that no longer can the Democratic Party simply run establishment candidates who are unwilling to speak truth about the genocide in Gaza”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Calling the Gaza war genocide is against liberty on free nations; the page prints these as his own spoken words.
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His values page says to avoid dumb wars with bad allies and to lead with diplomacy.
“dumb wars with bad allies”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No ally, Ukraine, Taiwan or NATO is named, so it does not settle the measure.
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Says he takes no money from the Israeli or any other foreign lobby.
“takes no money from the Israeli or any other foreign lobby”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Refusing lobby money says nothing about weapons or aid to Israel, so it does not settle the measure.
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Says he is fighting for universal health care.
“fighting for universal healthcare”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Universal government health care is against liberty on free markets.
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His campaign biography describes the Trump tariffs as threatening to raise prices and wipe out retirement savings.
“Trump’s sloppy tariff war was threatening to drive up prices, crash the supply chain, and wipe out everyone’s retirement savings.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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In the same video he referred to 'the terrors that are happening with our ICE agents here in the homeland'.
“the terrors that are happening with our ICE agents here in the homeland.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Condemning ICE's actions is against liberty on borders.
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His campaign values page says to secure the border and respect immigrants.
“Secure the border. Respect immigrants.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Calling for a secure border is the border-security side of the measure.
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In a WOSU interview he said ICE should be replaced completely with a different kind of law enforcement.
“And we have got to replace ICE completely with the kind of humane law enforcement”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Replacing or abolishing ICE is against liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Brennan Barrington (Libertarian).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Ohio 15th District
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