Q&A With Calif Senate Candidate Eric Lucan

Bio:

32 years old, born and raised in Novato, B.A. in Ministerial Studies from Christian Life International. MBA from Georgia State University. Worked as a youth director and finance manager for New Life church and school. Elected to Novato City Council in 2010. Director of digital strategy and merchandising for Kimpton Hotels. Board member of SMART and Transportation Authority of Marin.

Running for State Senate District 2, which runs from Marin County to the Oregon border, in 2014. Opponents who have declared candidacy include Sonoma County Supervisor Mike McGuire and Chris Lehman, a political consultant from Arcata.

Why are you running?

When Senator Noreen (Evans) announced she wasn’t going to run, it caught a lot of people off guard. It was something I had to look at very closely. Being a native of the area, I love our state, but there’s also a lot of things we need to improve upon. I really want to continue shape the state of California for future generations….I’m not a career politician. I’m just a guy who gets on the bus each day and commutes into the city. But I want to make a difference and make California the Golden State again.

Do you feel as a first-term councilman you’re ready for higher office?

If you look at the rest of the field, the other candidates are all in their 30's. It’s a big district and it’s going to take someone with a tremendous amount of energy. Although I am 32, I’m pleased with the experience I have and how varied it’s been. I’ve worked overseas as a volunteer in Kinshasa, Congo, I’ve worked at a nonprofit, now I’m working in the business world. 

I am a Leadership Novato graduate and joined the Novato Parks & Recreation Commission in 2007, going on to become the chair. And all of it stems from my interest in giving back. This is what I’m passionate about.

Critics have suggested that running for state office will detract from your duties as a Novato councilman. Can you address these concerns?

I’m 100 percent committed to city council, that’s what I was elected to do and am very much looking forward to serving as mayor, if the council gives me that opportunity. But at the same time, getting on the bus each day and commuting to San Francisco like two-thirds of Novato residents gives me a unique perspective that helps me make better decisions as a councilman. I really believe in finishing the job you started and that hasn’t changed.

You have switched your party affiliation more than once, from registered Republican in college to Independent when running for city council and then to Democrat in 2011. Why did you do so and what would you say to people who say you did this because it was politically expedient?

I think a lot of people change, including while in office, such as (California Senator) Mark DeSaulnier, a longtime Republican who later became a Democrat. So it’s not abnormal. I was an independent and was running for a non-partisan race and thought that it fit well. When I was an Independent, I supported Democrats, endorsed Democrats, got involved with Democrat races.

What issues do you want to focus on if elected?

EDUCATION: One of the common questions I’ve gotten as a councilman is ‘What can you do to help us get more money for schools?’ Unfortunately, as a councilman, I can’t do much. California ranks 49th in the country for per-pupil spending. And that’s something I would be able to focus on a state senator.

ENVIRONMENT: The North Coast is the most beautiful district in the state and has ⅓ of the California coastline. Many people that have gone before me have put their reputations on the line to protect the environment and I hope to continue on that legacy. Looking at all the restoration efforts, salmon, steelhead populations are starting to come back and we need to be focused on those efforts because that’s what sets our area apart.

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