James Howle "Jay" Lucas (born August 11, 1957) is an American politician and attorney. He served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 65th District from 1999 to 2022. Lucas is a Republican. Lucas was elected

Speaker of the House The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England. Usage The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hungerf ...

in December 2014 after the resignation of

Bobby Harrell Robert William Harrell Jr. (born March 7, 1956) is an American politician and member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party who served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing the 114th District ...

. On March 15, 2022, he announced his decision to not run for reelection to the South Carolina House. He was succeeded as speaker by Murrell Smith.

Political career

Lucas's political career began in the 1980s as he held various local positions. From 1982 to 1984, he served as the financial director for

Bennettsville Bennettsville is a city located in the U.S. state of South Carolina on the Great Pee Dee River. As the county seat of Marlboro County, Bennettsville is noted for its historic homes and buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries—including ...

. From 1984 to 1986, he was county administrator of Fairfield County. From 1990 to 1994, he was the county attorney for Darlington County, and from 1995 to 1996, was a judge for Hartsville in Darlington. Lucas entered state level politics in 1998 when he became the Republican nominee for South Carolina House of Representatives District 65, which was being vacated by incumbent Democrat Michael Baxley. On November 3, 1998, Lucas defeated Democratic nominee Tony Floyd by less than forty votes. He became the first Republican to hold the seat since the

Reconstruction era The Reconstruction era was a period in American history following the American Civil War (1861–1865) and lasting until approximately the Compromise of 1877. During Reconstruction, attempts were made to rebuild the country after the bloo ...

. On December 2, 2014, Lucas became the 60th Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives following the resignation of Speaker

. He would hold the position of Speaker for the next eight years. He retired from the position on May 12, 2022. The house elected Murrell Smith as Lucas' successor.

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* 1957 births 21st-century American politicians Lawyers from Columbia, South Carolina Living people Politicians from Columbia, South Carolina Republican Party members of the South Carolina House of Representatives South Carolina lawyers Speakers of the South Carolina House of Representatives University of South Carolina alumni {{SouthCarolina-politician-stub