Martin Lucas

Martin Lucas was born in Chicago, Illinois, and lives in Schererville, Indiana. Lucas graduated from Mount Carmel High School. He earned a B.S. in finance from DePaul University in 1984 and an M.B.A. from Purdue Northwest University. Lucas' career experience includes working as an engagement lead with IBM and an account manager with AT&T.[1][2][3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Martin Lucas. I am a Republican candidate for the United States House of Representatives for Indiana District 1. I believe in term limits. I am not a career politician. I believe in a lifetime ban on all politicians and their families from becoming lobbyists. I am not entering politics for personal financial gain. Whatever money you could donate to a political campaign, you should donate that money to a charity or non-profit. You should give your money to the poor and less fortunate, not a politician.

On May 3, 2022, in the Indiana Republican primary, vote for Martin Lucas.

My website is www.votelucas.com.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Term LimitsLifetime ban on all politicians and their families from becoming lobbyistsDonate to charities not to political campaigns

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am in favor of term limits and a lifetime ban on all politicians and their families from becoming lobbyists. We do not need career politicians.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

So Damn Much Money - The Triumph of Lobbying and the Corrosion of American Government by Robert G. Kaiser

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The ability to listen. The U.S Congressman must listen to the people, businesses, non-profits and charities of his district. He must also listen to the various State representatives to understand their strategies and goals for the State.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I believe in term limits. I am not a career politician. I believe in a lifetime ban on all politicians and their families from becoming lobbyists. I am not entering politics for personal financial gain. Whatever money you could donate to a political campaign, you should donate that money to a charity or non-profit. You should give your money to the poor and less fortunate, not a politician.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To do what is best for the improvement of the country even if it negatively impacts your chance for re-election.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be the catalyst for term limits in the U.S. House of Representatives.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a coat boy at a banquet hall starting in 5th grade and lasting through high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

A World at Arms by Gerhard L. Weinberg

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman because he stood for truth, justice and the American way.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Shaft by Isaac Hayes

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have lived a very Blessed life.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

You must listen to many different groups with diverse opinions. You must understand that you are a public servant and representative of your district.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, we currently have one of the most experienced Congress and Senate in this nation's history and it is in constant gridlock. I am running on term limits.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The national debt is the greatest challenge.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Ethics, Technology Modernization, and Small Business committees.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes, two years is the right term length and two term limit is appropriate. The representatives should serve no more that four years.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

My main platform is based on term limits. I will only serve two terms. I am not a career politician.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

No past or present representative was in favor of term limits.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

No, I believe in term limits. I am not a career politician. I believe in a lifetime ban on all politicians and their families from becoming lobbyists. I am not entering politics for personal financial gain. Whatever money you could donate to a political campaign, you should donate that money to a charity or non-profit. You should give your money to the poor and less fortunate, not a politician.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, compromise is necessary for policymaking. You must get various opinions and compromise on the solution.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

My main priorities are serving the people of my district. I believe we need to spend more time trying to reduce costs within the federal government.

Campaign website

Lucas' campaign website stated the following:

National Debt

At the end of 2021, the United States federal debt was estimated at $29.7 trillion. To put this in perspective, 29.7 trillion seconds is more than 941,155 YEARS!!!! To make matters worse, this number is getting larger and larger each passing day.

Ethics

"We need to eliminate waste, fraud, patronage, nepotism, cronyism, bureaucratic bloat, inside deals, conflicts of interest and pay-to-play and on and on. We must demand a government that serves the public first, not the powerful and connected."

Above quote from Andy Shaw - President & CEO of the Better Government Association.

Term Limits and Lobbyists

The political landscape is about money. The politician needs money to get re-elected. It has nothing to do about leading the country with ideas. Politicians spend millions on political consultants. Put the right image on the screen and the right words in the script, all the candidates has to do is read the lines. Do not blame the lobbyists and political action committees, but rather the self-serving career politician. Money provides access. Access is power. Access is clout. The career politician leaves Washington and becomes a lobbyist. The same people and families play the money game. Where is the incentive? Are you concerned about the welfare of your county or simply staying in power for personal financial gains? Term limits and a lifetime ban on the politician and their entire family from becoming lobbyists are two ways to correct this problem.

Education

Most people attend school hoping to obtain a good job upon graduation. Businesses and education institutions should form more partnerships where specific education training matches the skills lacking and needed for businesses to excel in today’s global economy. We need more engineers, scientists and vocational career trades people. We need more efficient methods to produce more sources of energy that will continue to sustain and improve our lifestyles.

From a K-12 level, we should provide vouchers to all who need them. We need to create charter schools to provide competitive alternatives and improve education. Focus at the local level rather than a top down approach with the student and families being the central focus.

Racial Injustice

If you go back in our nation’s history from slavery, crop duster, Jim Crow, denial of social upward mobility, red lining, denial of bank loans and home ownership, then you need to really admire how any black person has gotten ahead in this country.

Let me tell two stories. The first story describes certain neighborhoods in this country that can best be described as war zones. I think every American should take a weekend vacation to these neighborhoods. Pack up a picnic basket, bring a kite and bicycles along with your 16-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son and experience life in the ghetto. Everybody is saying, “Are you crazy? I would not step foot in those neighborhoods.” I do not blame you, however, you must remember that people actually live there and have 16-year-old daughters and 13-year-old sons. How can our country be so indifferent? Why do we allow these neighborhoods to exist? Where is the compassion for improvement and assistance?

The second story is pretending that two babies are being born at the exact same moment right now. The first baby has two parents that are both 28-years old and have been married for three years. It is their first child. The father is a manager at a Fortune 500 company. The wife is a schoolteacher. She has decided to quit her job for the first few years to raise the baby. The second baby has a mother who is 23 years old. This is her third child. She has never been married. Each child has a different father. None of the men provide any support to the woman or the children. All three men and the woman have drug problems and have been in and out of jail. Now with just those facts, which child do you think will be better off social-economically in twenty years? Wait, I forgot two facts. The married couple is black. The drug users and jail people are all white. Now that race has entered the picture, does your answer change?

Wall Street

I am a strong supporter of capitalism, however, here is a problem I have with Wall Street. A company has two choices. The first is building a new plant, hiring more workers, spending more money on research and development, and giving pay raises. The second is to take that money and buy back their own company shares. Wall Street punishes the stock price for first choice while rewarding the second choice. The first is much better for the long-term success of this country. The second is a mere paper transaction.[4]

—Martin Lucas' campaign website (2022)[5]