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Candidate Profile from Congressional QuarterlyKen Lucas (D) of RichwoodOpen Seat
The 65-year-old Lucas, a father of five and grandfather of six, will be the oldest freshman in the 106th Congress. A self-described "common-sense conservative" Democrat who says he "will probably be known as a maverick," Lucas is likely to join the conservative Democratic "Blue Dogs." He opposes abortion and supports school prayer, gun owners' rights and capital punishment. He also has a military background, attaining the rank of major in the Air Force. A veteran financial planner, Lucas is aware of the importance of Social Security, which he will work to strengthen. He looks askance at proposals to invest Social Security money in the stock market. A former chairman of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Tri-County Economic Development Corp., Lucas will champion economic development, especially for the district's eastern areas, which have not experienced the growth of the 4th's burgeoning suburban-Cincinnati areas. A strong advocate of strengthening public education he has noted that he and his children graduated from public schools Lucas opposes private school vouchers. He would like to see more local autonomy in spending education dollars. Lucas waxes conservative on tax policy, calling for a "simpler, fairer" tax code, targeted tax cuts and elimination of the so-called "marriage penalty." Having grown up on a tobacco farm in the 4th's Grant County, he also will work to protect the district's tobacco farmers. Lucas has expressed interest in serving on the Commerce Committee. Should he not receive that plum, Lucas, with his extensive background in financial affairs, almost certainly would get a spot on the Banking and Financial Services Committee. |