Jerrod Lucker

Tell us about a time when a woman challenged your thinking, leadership, or perspective. What did you learn, and how has it changed the way you lead today?

As the husband to my wife, Rachel, for 24 years, my family has a deep history of strong women. As a brother to three sisters, my two older sisters, including one who is a war veteran, gave me powerful examples of resilience to emulate. Tragically, my younger sister was recently killed on her motorcycle by a drunk driver just as she was beginning her career as an EL teacher after earning her master’s degree in education. Her spirit, passion, and example will live with me forever, guiding my everyday reality of advocating for women.

I grew up in an environment where previous generations of men often demonstrated toxic masculinity and misogyny. Pushed toward a “dog-eat-dog” mindset, I focused heavily on classical toughness through boxing and martial arts. But the women in my life challenged me to break that cycle. In high school, female teachers pushed me to pursue college and music rather than the street life that claimed so many of my peers. My music teacher demanding I join choir was a profound turning point. It challenged my ego and rigid definitions of masculinity, ultimately keeping me on the path to graduation while many peers didn’t make it.

That pivotal intervention allowed me to become the first college graduate in my family’s history. From there, invaluable female mentors and Rachel shaped my development of healthy masculinity. She opened my eyes to the unique challenges women face navigating a society historically slanted in favor of men. Today, we are intentionally raising our three young boys to have the utmost respect for women.

Professionally, my perspective was deepened while serving as an AmeriCorps literacy tutor at Churchill Elementary, and previously in the Twin Cities in 2012, thanks to the women who mentored me. Tutoring young girls provided profound insights, allowing me to embrace a softer, nurturing, and protective side of leadership. These collective experiences inspired me to step outside my comfort zone, pursuing my health coaching certification, yoga, and meditation to broaden my approach to helping others.

Today, this journey defines exactly how I lead. Without the influence of the women in my life, I would never have pursued my candidacy for mayor. My candidacy is driven by providing a Rochester that works for everyone, especially women and children. Through teamwork, empathy, and humility, I will always advocate for the safety, independence, and success of the women in our community, ensuring my leadership is always grounded in respect and human dignity.

Many women carry the responsibilities of careers, caregiving, and community leadership simultaneously, yet those experiences are not always reflected in public decision making. How will you ensure the realities women face are considered when making decisions that affect our community?

Having supported my wife, Rachel, through three births, two of which involved complications, I intimately understand the need for paid maternity leave and the unique challenges working mothers face. When Rachel was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic while pregnant, it was one of the toughest trials our family ever endured. As mayor, I will use my platform to ensure women are respected and their realities are translated into sound policy that protects the dignity of motherhood and caregiving. Crucially, this must include addressing the systemic gaps in healthcare for women of color, who are too often treated with less warmth and whose physical pain is frequently and unjustly minimized in medical settings. Finally, we must ensure and advocate for safe and affordable access to women’s medical care generally. 

I am deeply troubled by the recent reversal of women’s rights on a national level. I will do everything in my power locally to uphold those rights without fear or favor. We must guarantee the safety of all women regardless of marital status, maternal status, or sexual orientation, explicitly extending our protection and respect to trans women as well. Every woman is unique, and we must respect the diversity of lifestyles and pursuits to ensure our local government does not favor one over another.

Housing and childcare have been primary pillars of my campaign because the current gaps in our system are unconscionable. Many women are forced to work several jobs or miss crucial working hours simply because childcare is unavailable. When my son was a baby, I became a stay-at-home dad during college due in large part to exorbitant childcare costs. That invaluable experience opened my eyes to the distinct hurdles that mothers and caregivers face daily.

We must also ensure young girls have the exact same opportunities and pathways to success as young boys. During my time as an AmeriCorps literacy tutor, a majority of my students were minority children. Working directly with young Black, Hispanic, Somali, Asian, and Indigenous girls to foster fairness and equity in our education system remains one of the proudest accomplishments of my life.

Finally, we must actively combat human trafficking and domestic violence while supporting vulnerable populations, including homeless women. From the women serving in our police and fire departments to our public works and essential government services, no woman will ever face discrimination on my watch. We must also honor our elderly population by building safe, walkable communities that respect their decades of contributions. We are strongest when we work hand in hand toward the common good and a more perfect union.