Election 2026: Candidate for State Representative D-69 Jim Lucas
As the 2026 general election approaches, The Washington County Times is publishing written interviews with candidates in contested races affecting Washington County.
The Times reached out to all candidates for whom we were able to obtain contact information and invited them to participate. If you are a candidate in a contested race and have not received an invitation, please contact us so we can make sure you have an opportunity to participate.
Candidates were provided with questions tailored to their campaign, personal history, and the office they are seeking. We encouraged candidates to answer the questions in their own words and to refrain from using ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence tools when preparing their responses.
All candidate responses have been published as submitted, without editing or alteration. The Washington County Times does not endorse political candidates, and any opinions or statements expressed within the following interview are the candidate's own.
You have represented House District 69 since 2012. What do you consider your most significant accomplishment during your time in the General Assembly, and what are you most proud of having done for the district?
I have had the privilege of serving District 69 since 2012 and am very proud of the progress we’ve made in our state. Indiana continues to be extremely fiscal in that we are but a handful of states with a AAA credit rating and healthy reserves for a rainy day fund in case of an emergency or prolonged economic downturn while cutting our state income tax. We have continually increased public education in each budget cycle while giving taxpaying parents’ choice in their child’s taxpayer funded education. My most proud individual accomplishments are my fight to bring Constitutional Carry to our state and authoring one of the best self defense laws in the nation and is used as model legislation across the country. I passed a law that implements a statewide program for staff training to greatly enhance school safety. I have passed legislation that saves taxpayers millions of dollars by allowing police agencies across the state by streamlining the process to trade in confiscated weapons for new gear or training equipment without bureaucratic hassles. I’ve also passed the state’s first responder Medal of Honor award to recognize those first responders that go above and beyond in saving lives. I have also co-authored many laws that are too numerous to mention but can be found at iga.in.gov.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the residents of House District 69 today, and what should the state do about it?
I believe the biggest issue facing our district is affordability. Like so many other issues, this issue has been primarily controlled by what goes on at the federal level via money printing and federal policies that are causing crushing inflation. The challenge for the state, which applies to every district, is to make sure our state remains fiscally responsible, not spend beyond our means, and maintain our relatively low cost of living while attracting good paying jobs to our state with common sense regulation and attractive tax structures.
Do you believe Indiana is moving in the right direction on taxes, and are there additional changes you would support?
I believe Indiana is doing a good job with our tax structure, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do better. I am co-author of legislation that would eliminate property taxes next session. Property taxes fund our local schools, police and fire departments, roads and libraries and must be funded somehow. The replacement funding would come from a tax on services. This would greatly broaden the current tax base and eliminate the abatement system that so many businesses and not-for-profits are taking advantage of right now and pushes the funding burden onto those that must pay property taxes. It would also eliminate the Assessor’s offices in every county statewide, greatly reducing that expense. I will also be offering a bill next legislative session that prohibits the state from taxing unrealized income.
Rural communities in District 69 face challenges attracting and retaining workers, businesses and young families. What can the state do to strengthen the economies of communities such as Salem and the other smaller communities in the district?
Keeping an attractive business climate through sensible tax and regulatory structures are some of the biggest drivers of attracting job creators to our state and empowering locally elected officials to decide what is best for their communities works well also. Providing assistance to communities via programs that are pro-active in their growth is a major benefit as well, such as the Community Crossings grants and other available assistance.
What should the state's role be in supporting public education while preserving educational choice?
Indiana has continued to support public education by increasing it's funding every budget and having the funding follow the child. Massive deregulation has also occurred in the past decade, eliminating many redundant requirements and empowering local school corporations to decide what is best for their communities. We have also enacted a statewide voucher program that enables students to transfer between public schools or seek the education parents decide which is best for their child.
What is your position on Indiana's current abortion laws, and do you believe the Legislature should make any further changes to the state's abortion policy?
Indiana was the first state in the nation to act after the SCOTUS decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. We enacted a commonsense abortion law that prohibits abortion except in the case of rape, incest, or life of the mother and I believe this is the right place to be on this issue.
What is your position on Indiana's election and voting laws? Are there additional changes you would support to make voting more accessible, secure or transparent?
Indiana is recognized as one of the best states in the nation for voting laws. We have strong voter ID laws, we protect the accuracy of our voter registration records, we have strong absentee voter safeguards and enhanced audit and paper trails. I will fight to maintain safe and efficient voting rights.
You have been in the Legislature for considerably longer than most members of the General Assembly. What have you learned during that time that has changed the way you approach your job as a legislator?
Since my time at the statehouse, I have learned that things don’t happen overnight and building good relationships is necessary. Difficult issues can take years of work and commitment and the amount of time that goes into getting good legislation passed is surprising. My leadership style is more direct and open, which has sometimes rubbed people the wrong way, but I wouldn’t change it. I’d rather people know where I stand on issues than coming across as undecided.
Is there a vote or position you have taken during your time in the Legislature that, knowing what you know today, you would approach differently?
I am working to be more well rounded on different issues. I became know for my unwavering stance on the 2nd Amendment, which I think labeled me as a one issue only legislator because of the intense media that issue brought and became a distraction from other issues I want to advance, such as working on DCS issues and roads.
Your primary opponent, Chris Bowen, has been publicly critical of your voting record and your approach to representing District 69. How do you respond to her criticisms?
I ignore my opponent’s criticism because we are completely opposite in our beliefs in the role of government. She believes government exists to do everything for everybody whereas I believe in the Constitution that governs us via a limited government that protects us all equally and operates under the rule of law. Our Constitutional rights apply equally to everyone regardless of our skin color, social status, party affiliation, religion, or the two genders that we are. I want to see more government accountability; she wants to see way more government.
If re-elected, what is the single issue you intend to make your highest priority during the next legislative session?
The single biggest issue I want to address is property taxes. Our current system is based on a centuries old system that has been outdated for far too long and has evolved to pick too many winners and losers. The services property taxes fund are vital to a modern society, but there must be a better, more equitable way to fund those necessary services other than continually tweaking an outdated system.
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