Daniel J. Morey

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Daniel James Morey
Great Lakes Senator
In Office: 2011 - Present
Preceded by	Orson Pierce (R)
Succeeded by	Incumbent
Congressman for Michigan's 6th District
In Office: 2011
Preceded by	Fred Upton (R)
Succeeded by	Tonya Schuitmaker (R)
Michigan Attorney General
In Office: 2007 - 2010
Preceded by	Mike Cox (R)
Succeeded by	Thomas Blair (R)
Member of the Michigan State House
In Office: 1998 - 2006
Preceded by	Robert Jones (D)
Succeeded by	Larry DeShazor (R)
Born	September 28, 1962 Andrews Airforce Base, Wiesbaden, Germany
Political Party	Republican
Spouse	Married to Carry Morey (née Thompson) since 1981
Children	Matthew, Isabel, Emma
Profession	Attorney
Religion	Roman Catholic

Daniel James Morey (born Sep. 28, 1962) is the United States Senior Senator for the Great Lakes (since 2011). Previously he served as United States Representative for the State of Michigan's 6th Congressional district (2011), Michigan Attorney General (2007 - 2010), Member of the Michigan State House of Representatives (1998 - 2006) and Assistant U.S. attorney (1990 - 1993).

Early Life and Family

Childhood and Early Life

Daniel J. Morey was born on September 28, 1962 on on Andrews Airforce Base, Wiesbaden, Germany, the son of Maria Morey (née Rücker - German citizen), a translator working for the U.S. Airforce and Sean Morey (U.S. citizen), who was a military officer stationed at Andrews Airforce Base in Wiesbaden, Germany. He attended primary school on base and a German highschool. As one of the key moments in his life, Daniel Morey, always mentioned the year 1973 when he (age 13) was visiting Washington with his family and other military families from Michigan and briefly met with President Ford. In 1978 he spent a summer in Michigan with his grandparents and met Carry Thompson whom he fell in love with. Morey had to return to Germany for two more years of school and graduated from a German public school before permanently returning to the United States in 1980. Thereafter, he worked days in the local post office, and nights at a car assembly plant in Detroit.

Family

On March 2, 1981, at St Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Daniel and Carry got married. The couple first lived in Detroit then moved to Kalamazoo when Daniel and Carry both enrolled at Western Michigan University. Carry studied medicine and completed her degree at Michigan State University. Dr. Carry Morey owns a private practice in Kalamazoo, MI. Carry's family originally came from California. Her parents still live in Newport Beach, CA. There her family owns one of California's largest wineries, now operated by Carry's sister.

The Moreys have three children, Matthew J. Morey (*1990), Isabel M. Morey (*1993), Emma M. Morey (*1996). Matthew, the oldest and only son, attended public schools in Kalamazoo and after graduation in 2008 enrolled at the University of Notre Dame. In 2012 Matthew completed his B.A. in Business Administration and enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley for grad-school, pursuing a Masters degree in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. Isabel graduated high school in Paw Paw in 2011 and enrolled at Michigan State University where she is studying Medicine. Emma is attending high school in Paw Paw.

Daniel Morey has two older brothers and a younger sister. The oldest Morey brother, Thomas (*1958) had a promising career as minor league baseball shortstop which ended abruptly when he injured his trowing arm. He then moved to Los Angeles where he entered police academy and joined the force. He moved up to become detective for the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division until in 2006 he left the LAPD, rumored to have ben sacked from his job as a homicide detective because of a drinking problem. The same year his wife, actress Jennifer Morey filed for a divorce. Thomas moved to the small town of Paradise, MA where he accepted a position as Chief of Police. According to himself he has been dry ever since.

The second Morey brother, Maxwell (*1960) entered police academy after high school and worked for the Detroit Police Department since. There he works as detective for the Robbery-Homicide Division. He lives in Detroit with his wife and two children.

The youngest of the four Morey children, and only girl, is Elisabeth (*1970). After high school Elisabeth enrolled at University of Notre Dame and later Yale Law School where she completed her law degree. She has her own legal practice in Chicago, IL.

Daniel Morey's father Sean, Veteran of two foreign wars, tragically died in 2001 at the age of just 61 due to cancer. Maria Morey lives in South Haven, Michigan.

Eduaction and Law Career

Higher Education

Having saved enough money working day and nights in Detroit, seven days a week, Morey entered Western Michigan University becoming the first member of his family to go to university.

Young Daniel Morey, 1983

He later transferred to Michigan State University, where he earned a double degree in philosophy and political science in 1987, as well as a scholarship to Harvard law school. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Harvard in 1989.

Law Career

Morey was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1990. He worked as an assistant U.S. attorney from 1990 to 1993, successfully prosecuting bank robberies and other cases. Morey was also the campaign manager for Republican Michigan Governor John Engler's reelection campaign in 1994.

In the second half of the 1990s Morey worked as an attorney, with law offices in Lansing, Kalamazoo and Washington, DC, handling personal injury claims and defending people accused of white collar crimes. He also accepted an appointment as member of the Appellate Court Nominating Commission for the State of Michigan (1995–1997).

His clients included the German mining group and Japan's Toyota Motors Corporation. Morey has served on various corporate boards. He also did legal work and served on the board of directors for a large Michigan engineering firm.

Political Career

Michigan House of Representatives

Morey and his wife moved from Kalamazoo to Paw Paw in 1998. The same year he was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives.

State Representative Daniel Morey, 1998

As member of the Michigan House Daniel took a strong stance against Governor Jennifer Granholm and established himself as an expert on economic policies. He fought for lower taxes and deregulation for small businesses. One of his key initiatives was the Renew Tourism in Michigan Initiative which was designed to renew the State's attraction for tourists. He was re-elected handily throughout his time in the State House, enjoying great popularity in his home district. In 2002 he was elected Minority Leader in the State House, a position he held until his retirement from the State House in 2006.

Michigan Attorney General

Following his retirement from the Michigan State House of Representatives Morey campaigned successfully for the position of Michigan Attorney General, a position he held until 2010. He was urged by many Republicans in his state to pursue the vacant position and after months of persuasion he agreed to run. He defeated his Democratic Opponent by 3% points, delivering a large upset to the Granholm administration.

As Attorney General Morey fought hard to enforce existing laws and to strengthen law enforcement troops. With his brother serving with the Detroit Police Department he gained inside on police routine and worked hard to give Michigan police what they needed to enforce Michigan's laws. This lead to his high popularity amongst law enforcement troops. He also took a strong stance for continuing the war on drugs while creating programs to support drug addicts and to support their struggles to become clean.

On many occasions Morey had strong disagreements with Governor Granholm but nonetheless he enjoyed great popularity in both parties as he was always seen as a man always willing to talk to both sides.

Congressional Career

In 2011, following a vacancy of the congressional seat in his home district, Morey successfully campaigned in a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives and served as Michigan's 6th Congressional District's representative for about half a year before being appointed to the vacant Great Lakes Senate Seat. Following the sudden resignation of Senator Morrison just a month after Morey had been sworn in, he moved up in Seniority to become the Great Lakes Senior Senator.