Lent is a graduate of Eastern Idaho Technical College and Idaho State University. He worked with the Idaho National Laboratory since the 1980s, winning several awards for regulatory reform and cost-cutting.[1][2] Lent has also served on advisory boards for the College of Eastern Idaho and Idaho State University.[3]
Lent ran for the Idaho Senate in 2018, defeating incumbent District 33 senator Tony Potts in the Republican primary. Lent was elected with 60% of the vote over Democrat Jerry Sehlke in the general election.[6]
In the Idaho Senate, Lent serves on the Agricultural Affairs and Education committees.[2] He was appointed by Governor Brad Little to serve on the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.[7]