Paul Evans

Paul Lynn Evans (born May 22, 1970) is an American politician. He has served in the Oregon House of Representatives since 2015, representing District 20, which includes parts of Marion and Polk counties. He was the mayor of Monmouth from 1999 to 2002.

Biography Evans earned his B.S. in Public Policy and Administration from Western Oregon University in 1992 and his M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Environmental Policy, Rhetoric and Social Influence, and American Politics) from Oregon State University in 2001. His professional experience includes working as a volunteer fireman with the Polk County Fire District #1, a teacher at Western Oregon University, Chemeketa Community College and Oregon State University and President of Northwest Passage Trading Company. He served in the United States Air Force from 1993 to 1997, and in the Oregon Air National Guard from 1997 to 2013. Evans served in the military for 20 years before retiring in 2013. During that time, he participated in combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, including Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005.

In 2014, Evans defeated Republican candidate Kathy Goss, becoming the only Democrat to win a seat previously held by a Republican in the Oregon House of Representatives that year. In 2016, he retained his seat by defeating Republican challenger Laura Morett. In 2018 he defeated Republican challenger Selma Pierce to retain his seat for a third term.

Political positions In 2016, Evans introduced a bill which became Ballot Measure 96, which dedicated 1.5% of state lottery revenue to veterans services.

Evans supports overturning Measures 50 and 5, citing difficulty over local communities voting to raise their own taxes.

Evans supports banning firearm sales to youth, but broke with his party in April 2025 on waiting period legislation. The bills would require a 3 day waiting period to receive a gun after passing a background check. He criticized the bill as "an attack on liberty" and being harsh towards veterans. He has stated that the bills have led him to "seriously consider" changing his party affiliation.

Electoral history