Ray Pooley

Ray Pooley earned a high school diploma from Hartland High School. His career experience includes working as a machinist.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a third generation manufacturer, a CNC machinist and programmer, a proud chicken tender (though my hens might argue over whos really in charge of the eggs), a fighter for the working class, and the progressive Democrat candidate for Michigan's 9th congressional district.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I'm a blue-collar working class man for the working class people 💪😎

As a 3rd generation manufacturer (currently a CNC machinist) I have been immersed in the world of metal, rubber, and plastic from a young age. My upbringing around the production of rubber gaskets, O-rings, plastic details, car parts, and more has instilled in me a broad understanding of the industry. With 15 years of personal experience and a lifetime being around this industry, I proudly fight for my fellow blue-collar workers.

The working class has carried this nation on our backs for decades; it's time we reward hard work again by paying dignity wages and lowering taxes on working families.

If we want to bring manufacturing back, elect a manufacturer.I'm a chicken owner, homesteader, and stand with small family farms 🚜🐔🌱

Having grown up surrounded by small farms and open fields right next to the cider mill, my rural upbringing has taught me a good number of lessons in life. One of which came from the hunters and fishermen in my family:​

Take care of the land, the water, the air, and they'll take care of you. Mother nature is not a force to reckon with, and she WILL return the favor two-fold!

Today, farmers are getting squeezed by seed and meat packer monopolies, land consolidation, higher input costs, PFAS getting into our food and water supplies, and AI data centers moving in.

Congress may be full of chickens, but I've got the wisdom to round up a rowdy flock.Healthcare isn't just policy, it's a human right, and Medicare For All is both the fiscally responsible thing to do and will ensure everyone is covered.

I've got cystic fibrosis, my sister is autistic and diabetic, my mom has cancer, and my wife and I, like so many others, face the emotional and financial hurdles of IVF just to dream of a family. These aren’t just MY struggles—they’re the struggles of everyday people all over this country just like you, and they demand solutions that are as real as the people living them. We don't need more options, we need a guarantee because it doesn't matter how many options you have if they're all out of reach for the average person.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a working class man for the working class people—affordability, cost of living, healthcare, lowering taxes for the working class, and infrastructure will be my primary focuses as so many struggle just to get by. Together, we can build a better future for all of us.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My late grandpappy. He was a very patient man and didn't let too much get to his head. He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, always listened and gave advice, and encouraged everyone to live life to the fullest.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Compassion and action. An elected official who cannot comprehend the struggles of someone else cannot help, and one who can comprehend but chooses not to address the issues is not fit for office.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Serve the people. The first 3 words of the constitution are "We the people" for a reason.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I don't want a legacy. I want a better future for my country, my community, and my family. I was taught to leave the world a better place than I came into it, and I want our future generations to have better opportunities and more freedom than I ever could.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

When I was younger I used to weed whip, shovel snow, and some basic landscaping for neighbors and local small businesses near where I grew up. My first paycheck job though was Subway for about a month, then Target for 9 months before I decided those weren't for me and got right into manufacturing.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My cystic fibrosis. I was misdiagnosed as severely asthmatic as a kid so I was never on the right medication until I was properly diagnosed at 19 years old with CF.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Of the federal representatives in DC, the House is supposed to be a more connected representation of the will of the people. One of the fastest way for the power to be given back to the people at the federal level is for regular people to run for US House, and as a candidate I feel it is my responsibility to inspire others to do just that.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The greatest challenge I think the US will have over the next decade is restoring trust in our government. Too many politicians have chosen to ignore their duty to the people for their own personal gain while pointing fingers and making excuses. It's no wonder why our government is at such a low approval rating.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, we are a melting pot of people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to politics, but our founders knew that when they said we would form a "more perfect union" because we should always strive to be better than we were yesterday.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

9-11. I was in 5th grade when we decided to get into a forever war based on a lie that cost us trillions of dollars. Now, as an adult, I am disappointed to see our government still pushing for unnecessary wars.

Campaign websitePooley's campaign website stated the following:01 BRING BACK MANUFACTURING!We will unleash American ingenuity to bring jobs home. By investing in next-gen biofuels and regenerative materials, expanding trade schools, and building skilled workers up, we can create supply chains that start and end in the USA. This allows expansion into other fields such as building cheaper farm equipment and renewable energy. We will ensure these new jobs pay a living wage by protecting the right to organize and join a union. I will have more extensive details about my plans to bring manufacturing back later.Made In The USABring jobs backPro union02 Preserving Our Lands And Family FarmsIt's time to break the grip of global conglomerates on our food supply. We will empower family farmers with the tools and knowledge for healthy soil, regenerative practices that increase their profits and make them less dependent on costly chemicals, government handouts, and parasitic monopolies. Our farmers and ranchers deserve better than these unfair prices, policies, tariffs, lack of MCOOL, and tax breaks that favor big Agribusiness while squeezing the people working the land. Let's put the fate of our land back in the hands of those who care for it most: our local farms.Regenerative farmingMore free market, less monopolies$ Bills over bailouts03 Reward Hard WorkIn America, a hard day's work should mean an honest day's pay. That means simplifying the tax code so the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, allowing us to cut taxes for working families, as well as closing all the tax loopholes these corporations take advantage of. It means fighting for trade deals that protect workers instead of shipping more jobs overseas, raising the minimum wage while putting a maximum ratio for CEO pay, building up small businesses so they can compete, and holding companies to a higher standard that if they are profitable, those profits are properly shared with the employees that created the value.Higher wages, lower taxesHelp small businessesTax the rich04 Freedom From Medical TyrannyTrue health freedom means being able to see a doctor without fearing bankruptcy. It means your healthcare decisions are between you and your doctor, PERIOD! I will fight to break the corporate monopolies on healthcare to ensure every American has the freedom to access quality, affordable care, providing the security and peace of mind you deserve through Medicare For All. I will also hold this administration accountable for their lack of action in respect to IVF care, and will go further as we have the means and capability to provide childcare services for all, and therefore the responsibility to do so. Investing in our kids is investing in our future, and I don't see why we cannot give parents a month off to bond and care for their newborns.Lower healthcare costsExpand childcare servicesMedicare For All05 A National Mission For Energy IndependenceEnergy independence shouldn't mean choosing between a healthy planet and a healthy bank account, and it shouldn't mean relying on foreign oil. By harnessing American-made solar, wind, and other innovative technologies, we can produce abundant, cheap, and clean power right here at home. This drives down utility bills for families, creates high-paying jobs, and conserves our planet for future generations. We should not only push for greener energies, but we should hold companies accountable for knowingly polluting our planet and dumping chemicals in our rivers and lakes.​Freedom from foreign oilCheap, reliable, American made energyCNC & Manufacturing Act (Details to come)06 Order At The Border, Opportunity WithinOur nations strength comes from its immigrants, but a broken system helps no one. We will have a secure border and create a functional, efficient legal immigration process that stops the chaos. This means a clear, swift pathway to citizenship for those who follow the rules, so they can pay taxes, start businesses, and contribute to our communities legally; strengthening our economy and upholding the rule of law. No more shortcuts with money or status, nor years wasted sitting on a waiting list. Also, no more harassing immigrants for merely existing in our country.​Patriots are made, not just bornSpeedy legal immigration processEnd un-American ICE raids and enforce smart border policy, targeting root cause07 Return Government To The People!Washington is corrupted by powerful special interests and career politicians who've lost touch. We will end the revolving door of lobbyists, enact term limits for congress and SCOTUS to ensure fresh perspectives, and ban stock trading by sitting officials. Our government must be a public service, not a path to personal wealth or power. It's time to return power to its rightful owners: the people.Government of, by, and for the peopleNo more getting rich off of governingPower to the people08 A Strong America Is A Force For PeaceTrue strength isn't just a mighty military, it's the wisdom to know when to use it. We will maintain the strongest military on earth to deter our enemies, but we will be smarter; using diplomacy, economic partnership, and leadership in human rights as our primary tools. A strong America doesn't seek endless war; it uses its power to create a more peaceful world, ensuring our security, and holding our leaders to a moral standard.Confident diplomacy, not constant conflictOur allies are our responsibility; stop the genocide in PalestineCarry a big stick09 Protecting The 2nd Amendment AND Our SchoolsThe right to bear arms comes with a responsibility to ensure public safety. We can protect our children without eroding our freedoms by enacting common-sense reforms. Raising the purchasing age for firearms, ensuring all sales require a background check, closing loopholes that allow domestic violence abusers to access such weapons, and expanding mental healthcare. Responsible gun owners know that safe communities and 2A rights are NOT mutually exclusive. I'm not here to offer empty thoughts and prayers, I'm here to offer action and solutions.​Protect the 2nd, not the status quoAn armed society is a responsible societyFund mental healthcare, secure our safety10 Defend Our Elections From Special InterestsOur democracy should be owned by voters, not corporate donors. We will overturn Citizens United to get dark money out of politics, empower everyday Americans with a public financing system for campaigns, and move towards a ranked-choice voting system. to ensure our leaders represent the true majority and are quality candidates the people can get behind. This will help solve partisan gerrymandering and force politicians to compete for votes based on ideas, not who has the fattest wallet and most donors.No more big money in politicsUnrig the system, honor the voteQuality candidates > "Good enough" candidates through Ranked-Choice VotingBonusAdditional items of interestData Centers: These data centers have become a threat to our communities, our environment, farmlands, health, and wealth. We need to reign them in and heavily regulate them, else they will continue. If they cannot meet every demand from the people—whether it's electrical and water use, air pollution, noise, farmland conversion, or otherwise—and if they cannot pick themselves up by their own bootstraps instead of asking for our tax dollars to fund their projects, we do not want themFLOCK: We cannot be "Land of the Free" while simultaneously becoming a surveillance state. They can FLOCK off!Solar on farms: As a homesteader, I love the self-sustainability solar can give us, and I even plan on building my own solar array in the future so I can ditch my DTE bill. Most solar panels are built without the use of PFAS chemicals, and any farmland with solar on it can easily be intertwined or reversed as seen with Agrivoltaics. However, that's a personal decision every household can make for themselves, and any farmer who wants to have a field of solar panels has the freedom to do so. What I believe we should do is remove red tape and integrate solar in more cities. Plug-in solar should be much easier to access, and shaded solar structures would help keep temperatures in urban areas much cooler while producing energy right there where it's most needed.— Ray Pooley's campaign website (July 29, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.