Oregon Rep. Paul Evans (D)

Email Address: rep.paulevans@oregonlegislature.gov

Phone: (503) 986-1420

Office Address:
900 Court St NE, H-471, Salem, OR 97301

Representative Paul Evans
Democrat - District 20 - Monmouth
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1420 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-471, Salem, Oregon 97301 Email: Rep.PaulEvans@oregonlegislature.gov Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/evans
Following a family tradition of service, Paul joined the volunteer fire department and served with Polk County Fire District #1 while pursuing his degree. He graduated from Western Oregon State College (now Western Oregon University) in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in public policy and administration. That same year, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.
After earning his commission, Paul served over four years on active duty as an air battle manager/air weapons controller with the 728th Air Control Squadron. His deployments included counterdrug operations in Central and South America, NATO missions in Europe, and military operations in Southwest Asia.
In 1997, after completing his active-duty commitment, Paul returned home and earned a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Oregon State University, focusing on American Government, Environmental Policy, and Rhetoric. That fall, he joined the 116th Air Control Squadron of the Oregon Air National Guard, resuming military service as a drill status guardsman. He also rejoined Polk County Fire District #1 as a senior volunteer firefighter.
In 1998, Paul returned to elected office, this time as Mayor of Monmouth. Between 1999 and 2001, he also taught courses at both Western Oregon University and Oregon State University while completing his graduate studies.
Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, Paul's National Guard unit was activated for a 24-month deployment—one of the longest National Guard call-ups in the country. He later volunteered for additional tours, serving in Iraq in 2003 and 2005, and Afghanistan in 2006–2007.
Upon returning from Afghanistan, Paul joined the senior policy staff of Governor Theodore “Ted" Kulongoski, serving as Senior Advisor for Emergency Management, Military, and Veterans' Affairs. His responsibilities included managing the 2007 TOPOFF-4 national homeland security exercise, leading the 2008 Governor's Task Force on Veterans' Services, and coordinating state responses to several federally declared natural disasters.
In 2010, Paul entered the private sector as Chief of the Protection and National Security Division at High Impact Technology (HIT). His work focused on emergency resilience infrastructure, product development, strategic marketing, grant acquisition, and international sales, particularly in Asia.
By 2012, Paul had returned to teaching, working in adjunct roles across the Willamette Valley before accepting a full-time position in the Speech Communication Department at Chemeketa Community College. He has held that role since 2013, supplementing it with consulting and research projects.
In 2014, Paul was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives to represent House District 20. He has since been re-elected in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. While he has contributed to nearly every major policy area, his primary focus remains on:
Paul has held several leadership roles in the Legislature, including:
Committee Assignments (since 2015):
Paul also serves in several House-appointed roles:
Over his legislative career, Paul has successfully championed more than 20 bills signed into law and helped integrate approximately 50 additional proposals into broader legislation or budget frameworks. Among his proudest accomplishments is House Joint Resolution 202B, which referred to voters a measure dedicating 1.5% of Oregon Lottery revenues permanently to veterans' services and outreach.
In recent years, Paul has been at the forefront of reforming Oregon's disaster response and recovery systems. He has also authored critical legislation improving public defense and advancing judicial reforms. Working across the aisle, he has led strategic efforts to strengthen Oregon's overall resilience, protect its natural environment, and improve transparency and accountability in government.
If you have a proposal or idea that could help improve the lives of Oregonians, Paul encourages you to reach out. He believes that Oregon is at its best when its people work together to solve common problems.