Profile: Rep. Lake Ray
A Republican, he represents District 17, which is primarily Jacksonville’s Northside and parts of Arlington and East Arlington to the Intracoastal Waterway.
Election history
With 52 percent of the vote, he defeated Mario Rubio and Gordon Morgan for the seat in 2008.
Education
Received an associates of arts degree from St. Johns River Community College and a bachelor’s of science in civil engineering from the University of Florida.
Occupation
Civil engineer with Jacksonville office of Halcrow.
Civic highlights
Served on Jacksonville City Council from 1999-2007; member of both Southside Businessmen’s Club and Northside Business Leader’s club; Eagle Scout.
Family
Wife, Brenda; and three children, Lake IV, Forrest and Hampton.
What he drives
“A 10-year-old Mercedes, but it feels like I put an ‘extra’ year on it every year.”
Favorite moment(s)
“Working hard on a transportation bill last session and being able to serve the people of Jacksonville each day.”
Least favorite moment
“Having that same transportation bill die during the last 15 minutes of session last year.”
On stimulus money
“Well, we have half of it left (to help balance the budget)… but I can’t see what the things were they were trying to accomplish. I don’t think it’s done what people really thought it would do.
On funding
“Well, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is the economy is down, which is never good. The good news, though, is that we have the opportunity now to look at the budget line-by-line and see what’s working … and that’s a good thing.”
How he de-stresses
“I walk a lot, especially during session. At least once a day I’ll walk the 11 flights of stairs to get back to my (Capitol) office … it helps me think.”
Guilty pleasure
“Almost anything chocolate. I have a candy dish right in my office.”