Lucas has been the subject of numerous controversies, causing some to call for his resignation, as well as the removal of his position on several committees.
Comments on rape and domestic violence In June 2017, Lucas was caught in controversy for comments he made regarding rape victims, including claims that women who carried weapons had learned "how to not be victims," leading to accusations of
victim blaming. Earlier that year, he had been the subject of controversy for a meme which was perceived to be mocking domestic violence victims. Later, in May 2020, Lucas was once again caught in controversy for posting a meme that was perceived to contain racist stereotypes of black children, leading to his removal from several study committees by House Speaker
Todd Huston. In March 2021, Lucas received criticism for comments made about slavery in a
Facebook live video.
Uvalde shooting In June 2022, Lucas faced widespread backlash over a post on Facebook which suggested that the
Robb Elementary School shooting was a
false flag operation, with some comparing the comments Lucas made on the shooting to those made by
alt-right conspiracy theorist
Alex Jones.
Joseph Goebbels quote In August 2022, Lucas received more backlash after posting a quote attributed to Nazi propagandist
Joseph Goebbels on his Facebook account. Lucas later followed up on the post and refused to issue an apology.
DUI arrest On May 31, 2023,
Indiana State Police reported that Lucas was arrested after crashing his vehicle into a guard rail on the I-65 just north of Seymour around midnight. Lucas had left the scene in the vehicle, driving the wrong way down an entrance ramp. He told officers he had swerved to avoid a deer. The ISP reported officers from the Seymour Police Department found the vehicle parked behind a business almost three miles from the crash site, having been driven there on two bare rims and a flat tire. He was arrested by a trooper from the ISP-Versailles Post for driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.
Statehouse gun incident On January 30, 2024, Lucas was recorded by a student as having flashed a handgun at a group of
Burris Laboratory School students who were visiting the Statehouse to urge state lawmakers to introduce laws aimed at curbing gun violence. His actions faced criticism from Republican House Speaker Todd Huston as well as Democratic representatives
Sue Errington and
Phil GiaQuinta. == Personal life ==