Lake graduated from Rigby High School and earned his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in accounting. He began his career working for Basic American a potato processing company and later began ranching, which remains his current occupation.
Elections
On February 27, 2012 Lake announced that he will not run for re - election and retire after the 2012 Idaho Legislative session. 2010 Unopposed for the May 25, 2010, Republican primary, Lake won with 4,868 votes, and won the November 2, 2010, general election with 7,487 votes against Marlene Shurtz. 2008 Unopposed for the May 27, 2008, Republican primary, Lake won with 4,204 votes, and was unopposed for the November 4, 2008, general election, winning with 11,379 votes. 2006 Unopposed for the May 23, 2006, Republican primary, Lake won with 3,776 votes; Beach qualified for the general election ballot as a write-in candidate, setting up their third contest. Lake won the November 7, 2006, general election with 6,578 votes against Beach. 2004 Unopposed for the May 25, 2004, Republican primary, Lake won with 4,799 votes; Beach was unopposed for the Democratic primary, setting up a rematch. Lake won the November 2, 2004, general election with 8,472 votes against Beach. 2002 Redistricted to District 28, and with Representative Max Mortenson re-districted to District 34, Lake was unopposed for the May 28, 2002, Republican primary, winning with 4,586 votes, and won the November 5, 2002, general election with 6,651 votes against Beverly Beach. 2000 Lake won the May 23, 2000, Republican primary with 3,375 votes against Janet Aikele, and was unopposed for the November 7, 2000, general election, winning with 9,083 votes. 1998 Unopposed for the May 26, 1998, Republican primary, Lake won with 4,595 votes, and won the November 3, 1998, general election with 6,505 votes against Sam Collet. 1996 When Republican Representative Allan Larseneft the District 31 A seat open, Lake was unopposed for the May 28, 1996, Republican primary, winning with 4,663 votes, and won the November 5, 1996, general election with 4,663 votes against Democratic nominee Israel Merrill.
