Ray LaHood (born December 6, 1945), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1995, representing the downstate 18th District of Illinois (map). He has gained national notoriety, especially among C-SPAN viewers, as the presiding officer of more debates than any other member. Most notably, he presided over the impeachment vote against President Bill Clinton. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, was educated at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and was a teacher, director of the Rock Island County Youth Services Bureau, an aide to Representatives Thomas F. Railsback and Robert Michel, and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives before entering the House. He is of Lebanese descent, one of the few U.S. representatives of Arab ancestry, such as Darrell Issa and Spencer Abraham. Lahood is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership.
LaHood serves on the Appropriations Committee and Intelligence Committee. He was said to be considering a challenge to Governor Rod Blagojevich's re-election bid in 2006, but on August 18, 2005 he ruled out a run, saying few outside his district would know him.
