While Representative John Lujan has lived a fulfilling life of public service and community leadership, it has not been without its incredible challenges, devastation, and pivotal life lessons.
Lujan, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from House District 118, was born and raised on the south side of San Antonio where his parents, a local minister and a school principal, instilled in him a strong commitment to serving his community.
“I really enjoy public service, and it started at a very young age,” says Lujan. “My family was always about service and I want to instill the importance of giving back and making a difference in people’s lives.”
After graduating, Lujan served as a Deputy in the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department for five years and then the San Antonio Fire Department for twenty-five years, where he stood out for his different approach.
“I had a reputation,” says Lujan, “I’d go to the hospitals to visit victims that we pulled out of a car or suffered in a fire.”
After his career in public safety service, Lujan founded an information technology (IT) company which now employs over 550 people.
Lujan’s House District 118 is what politicos call a swing district. Sometimes Democrats win, sometimes it’s a Republican. But Lujan’s personality and approach to leadership seems to be a good fit for an area that is often decided by the political center.
First elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2016 in a special election, and then again in another special election in 2021, Lujan won his first regular general election in 2022 and, again, in 2024, but only by 3.6%
Lujan, who has been married for over 40 years and has five sons, three of whom are adopted, places the values of family, faith, and community at the forefront. But, to fully understand Lujan’s temperament and approach to leadership, we have to revisit a critical moment in Lujan’s life.
“It was the second night we had put [our son] to sleep in his own bedroom,” says Lujan. “About 3:30 in the morning, someone breaks into our apartment.” In a desperate moment filled with panic, Lujan heard his wife screaming “John! They’re stealing the baby.”
Fueled by adrenaline and fear, he described how he “chased him,” worried the intruder had taken his son away. When he finally caught the burglar, emotions ran high, “I had blood all over me. I had broken his nose, and I cut his forehead,” says Lujan.
The moment escalated as Lujan faced a moral crossroads; blinded by rage, he thought of pulling his gun. However, in a moment of profound clarity, he realized the gravity of his actions.
“I said, no, control yourself. You caught him. He’s a burglar,” says Lujan.
This internal struggle marked the beginning of Lujan’s journey toward forgiveness. After the chaos subsided and his son was rushed to the hospital with severe knife injuries inflicted by the perpetrator, he faced a tumultuous time filled with anger that took a toll on his family life.
“We almost got a divorce. I was a horrible father, horrible dad,“ says Lujan. “I just didn’t care. I was carrying all this anger and hatred.”
But a conversation with his father almost a year later would shift his perspective. His father told him, “You’re going to have to forgive this guy. You’re going to do this not for his sake, but for your sake.”
Lujan realized he needed forgiveness to move forward and free himself from the burden of hatred.
“I remember we were there at the courthouse. We prayed. I truly forgave him. Forgiveness is very, very powerful. It was like a weight lifted where I could breathe again,” says Lujan.
Today, Lujan uses this story as a beacon of hope for others struggling with the burdens of past grievances. “I really believe you can’t have a true relationship with God if you have all that unforgiveness in your heart.”
In a world often marked by division and anger, Lujan’s journey emphasizes the transformative power of forgiveness: “I’m not going to let that dictate the rest of my life.” His story serves as a reminder that embracing forgiveness, even in the darkest moments, can lead to healing and understanding, ultimately shaping a more compassionate society.
Politics is one area that the anger and hatred often pervades. However, the wisdom imparted on Lujan by this experience is reflected in how he approaches issues and his colleagues.
As the vice-chair of the Texas House Water Caucus, Lujan’s calm demeanor is needed for an issue as important as ensuring Texas has the water resources needed for the future.
“Water is very, very important for the future of Texas,” says Lujan. “It is mainly because of the significant growth we’re having here in Texas.”
“Even though the Democrats and Republicans can come together when it comes to water issues, it can begin to break up” based on region and access, says Lujan.
Another issue of statewide importance to Lujan is improving recycling rates in Texas. “When you look at our numbers today, it’s between an 18% and 20% recycling rate,” says Lujan.
According to a report by Texas A&M’s Moshbacher Institute, only 5.2 billion out of the 23.7 billion beverage containers sold in Texas were recycled. The state also missed out on $372.6 million in scrap metal due to the low recycling rates.
As a result, Texas manufacturers import a significant amount of trash and other scrap materials from other countries, including China, Mexico, and Canada.
Instead of creating a mandate or a new government-run program or state agency, Lujan learned from other states and proposed House Bill 2048 which would create a statewide bottle deposit return system in Texas. The program would be managed by the private sector and provide Texans with an incentive to recycle their bottles.
“I was really excited about this bill and it is the first [recycling] bill that’s been voted out of committee and placed on the House General Calendar,” says Lujan. “Under the program, by 2035, Texas’ recycling rate would increase to 75%. That’s incredible.”
If re-elected to the House, Lujan said he would champion that legislation again. “I think we have to do something about this for the Texas economy, for Texas businesses.”
No matter the legislation, whether it is water, recycling, public safety, or juvenile justice, Lujan wants to do best by his community and Texas.
“To me, I always want to be responsible and to do the right thing,” says Lujan.