About David
A lifetime of public service — from the Ohio House to Washington D.C. and back home to Toledo.
Background
Watch David on YouTubeDavid Karmol was born in Toledo, Ohio and graduated from St. John's Jesuit High School. He obtained a B.A. Degree from Miami University of Ohio and Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law. Mr. Karmol is an attorney, licensed to practice law in Ohio, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. He is currently on inactive or retired status in all three jurisdictions. His wife Colleen passed away in 2003. After a successful career in Washington D.C., he returned to Toledo in 2014. He now lives with his dog, Reno.
Karmol was appointed to the Lucas County Board of Elections in May of 2017. In 2019, he was reappointed to the Board and elected Chairman, serving until March 2023. In March of 2021, he was appointed to the Toledo-Lucas County Board of Health, and was reappointed in 2025. He also served 6 years on the board of the non-profit Glass City Dog Park.
In 2015, Karmol retired as Vice President for Federal and External Relations at the International Code Council, the U.S.-based public/private sector organization that publishes the building codes used in all fifty states. Before joining the Code Council, Karmol was the Standards Advisor to Iraq, stationed at U.S. Embassy Baghdad from 2006–2007. He previously served five years as Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) from 2001 to 2006. He has also held positions as Press Secretary at the United States Mint, Treasury Dept., and Associate Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.
Karmol began his career in the Franklin County, Ohio Prosecutor's Office. He was appointed an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney after passing the Bar Exam in 1978. In April 1979, David was appointed to fill the unexpired term of his mother, Irma Karmol, in the Ohio House of Representatives, following her death in a traffic accident. He was elected to a second full term in November 1980.
On the Trail
Career Highlights
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Began career in the Franklin County, Ohio Prosecutor's Office after passing the Bar Exam.
Ohio House of Representatives
Appointed to fill the unexpired term of his mother, Irma Karmol, then elected to a second full term.
U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee
Served as Associate Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.
U.S. Treasury Dept. & Private Sector
Held positions at the U.S. Treasury Department, including Press Secretary at the United States Mint, as well as private sector in-house counsel positions.
VP, American National Standards Institute
Served as Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs at ANSI in Washington D.C.
Standards Advisor to Iraq
Stationed at U.S. Embassy Baghdad as Standards Advisor to Iraq.
International Code Council
Served as Vice President for Federal and External Relations, retiring in 2015.
Lucas County Board of Elections
Appointed to the Board of Elections; elected Chairman in 2019, serving until March 2023.
Toledo-Lucas County Board of Health
Appointed to the Board of Health in 2021 and reappointed in 2025.
Endorsements
David is proud to have earned the endorsement of the Toledo Police Command Officers' Association and the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association — law enforcement organizations whose members overwhelmingly voted to support his candidacy.
See Endorsement LettersHear From David
Listen to David's full conversation with Fred LeFebvre — covering his background, key issues, and vision for Ohio's 43rd House District.