William Lucas (Michigan politician) facts for kids

William Lucas (January 15, 1928 – May 30, 2022) was an American politician. He served as the Sheriff of Wayne County, Michigan, and later as the first Wayne County Executive. He was known for his long career in public service and for changing political parties during his career.

William Lucas's Early Life

William Lucas faced a tough start. When he was a young teenager, both of his parents, who were immigrants from the West Indies, passed away within a year. He then went to live with his aunt, who raised him.

High School and College Years

William attended Morris High School in the Bronx, New York. He was a star athlete on the school's track team. His amazing track skills earned him many college athletic scholarships. He chose to accept a scholarship from Manhattan College. William was the first person in his family to go to college. He graduated with honors in 1952, earning a Bachelor of Science degree.

William Lucas's Career in Public Service

After college, William Lucas worked for a few years. He was a teacher and also a welfare case worker in New York City. These jobs helped him understand the needs of people in his community.

Joining the Police Force

In 1953, William joined the New York Police Department. He worked there for nine years. Often, he worked undercover in Harlem, helping to solve crimes. His experiences with the city's legal system inspired him to become a lawyer.

Becoming a Lawyer and Federal Agent

While working, William attended Fordham University at night to study law. He earned his law degree in 1962. At his graduation, he met Robert Kennedy, who offered him a job. William accepted and spent two years as an investigator. He worked in the civil rights division of the Justice Department. After that, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a special agent. He was stationed first in Cincinnati and later in Detroit.

Leading Wayne County

William left the FBI in 1967 to become the undersheriff of Wayne County. Two years later, he was appointed Wayne County sheriff. This happened when Roman Gribbs became the mayor of Detroit. William Lucas was then elected Wayne County sheriff in 1970. He was reelected twice, serving for 13 years. In 1982, he successfully ran for the new office of Wayne County Executive. He served four years as the main leader of Wayne County. At the time, Wayne County was the third largest county in the United States.

William Lucas's Political Journey

In May 1985, William Lucas made a big change. He switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. He explained that he felt the Democratic Party was no longer the best fit for his ideas.

Running for Governor

In 1986, William Lucas won the Republican primary election for governor. He was only the second African-American person in U.S. history to win a major party nomination for governor. His campaign focused on the historic nature of his candidacy. He also talked about being smart with money (fiscal responsibility) and keeping communities safe (law and order). However, he lost the general election to the current governor, James Blanchard. William Lucas only won in one county in the state.

Later Years and Legacy

In 2004, William Lucas ran for Wayne County Sheriff again, but he was not successful. William Lucas passed away in Detroit on May 30, 2022. He was 94 years old.