He was first elected in 2006.
In 2008 Lara was accused by feminist groups that pleaded with the Congress to expulse him of the hemicicle due to a domestic violence case.In August 2012 Lara announced that he was leaving the Liberal Party to join the recently created Anti-Corruption Party, however, its presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla denied him and in June 2013 Lara returned to the Liberal Party.