[2] He graduated from Thurston High School, Lane Community College and the University of Oregon.

In 2012, When Democratic Representative Terry Beyer retired and left the District 12 seat open, Lively won the May 15, 2012, Democratic primary with 2,688 votes (66.4%),[3] and won the November 6, 2012, general election with 12,213 votes (53.7%) against Republican nominee Joe Pishioneri.

[4] He was reelected to the 12th district against Republican Christopher P. Gergen in the 2014 Oregon House of Representatives election.

He was reelected in the 2016 Oregon House of Representatives election against Republican Robert Schwartz.

He was reelected in the 2018 Oregon House of Representatives election against Republican Ruth Linoz.