[2] Prior to contesting the legislative elections of 2001, Lu served three terms on the Hualien County Council.
[3] His victory over Michael You in the legislative primaries held that April was considered unexpected,[4][5] and subsequently he was elected to represent the Hualien County district in December.
[6] Shortly after taking office in February 2002, Lu received a single vote in a speakership election won by Wang Jin-pyng.
[11] In November 2004, Lu proposed that freeing captured animals be prohibited, to prevent commercialization of the release.
[12] Lu was again named a DPP legislative candidate in 2004,[13][14] and was reelected alongside Fu Kun-chi.