Ray LaHood

Raymond H. LaHood, born on December 6, 1945, is a prominent American politician known for his significant contributions to public service. He served as the 16th United States Secretary of Transportation from 2009 to 2013 under President Barack Obama, where he played a crucial role in shaping transportation policy during a pivotal time in American history.

Before his tenure as Secretary, LaHood was an active member of the Republican Party, representing the Illinois House of Representatives from 1982 to 1983 and later serving in the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2009. His political career has been marked by a commitment to bipartisanship and effective governance.

In 2015, LaHood coauthored a book titled 'Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics' with Frank H. Mackaman, which was published by Cambria Press. This work reflects on his experiences and insights gained throughout his political journey.

However, LaHood's career has not been without controversy. In 2017, he acknowledged to the Federal Bureau of Investigation that he had accepted a payment of fifty thousand dollars from a foreign national for personal home repairs while in office, failing to report it as required by federal ethics regulations. This led to a Non-Prosecution Agreement in 2019, where he accepted responsibility, agreed to repay the loan, and paid a fine of forty thousand dollars to the U.S. government.