Jack Evans, who recently stepped down as a member of the D.C. Council following the revelation of alleged ethical violations, is launching a campaign to regain his old seat.
The politician applied on January 27 to run for the Council one more time in the special election scheduled for June 16 that will be held to fill the seat vacated by him.
Evans’ bid came only 10 days after his official resignation on January 17. He had made his announcement to quit two business days before the D.C. Council members were expected to discharge him.
He is also running for the June 2 Democratic primary to win back the same position.
The news has drawn strong reaction from Council members and local politicians, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Charles Allen, as well as the general public.
“I think he knows very clearly how I feel about getting on with the business of the District,” Bowser said, according to WTOP. “We should all call on Jack to do not what’s best for Jack, but what’s best for the District of Columbia.”
He hasn’t even received his last paycheck from a job he had to quit to avoid being fired from. The District will spend $1 million on a special election to replace him – and he says he’s running in it? This is unbelievable. DC deserves better than this. https://t.co/4tEGnHgcOG
— Charles Allen (@charlesallen) January 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/ChelseaCirruzzo/status/1221924729654779904?s=20
Appreciate the outraged tweets from Councilmembers, but how about some kind of formal statement that Jack Evans will face an expulsion vote if re-elected? Make it clear to DC residents the words will be backed up with action.
— Sack Jack (@SackJackDC) January 28, 2020
Jack Evans just doesn’t get it. Shameless corruption is disqualifying for serving on the DC Council. It’s time for a councilmember who’s spent their career living their values and fighting to make communities more progressive, equitable, and affordable for all. #ForYouNotForSale
— Jordan M. Grossman (@JMGinDC) January 27, 2020
LMFAO CARRY YOURSELF WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF DISGRACED EX COUNCILMAN JACK EVANS, WHO IS RUNNING IN THE SPECIAL ELECTION. HE HAS NO SHAME YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE!! RUN FOR SHIT SHOW UP RAISE YOUR HAND ASK FOR WHAT U WANT ITS 2020 AND LIFE IS A JOKE ANYWAY
— m “defund police, fund housing” stirling (@madelbean) January 27, 2020
Evans was found in a probe last year to have violated the District’s code of ethics for secretly receiving $400,000 from various companies as outside income possibly in return for favors via his status.
The investigation was conducted by the independent law firm O’Melveny & Myers based on a report of allegations by The Washington Post and identified 11 ethical violations by Evans.
Evans also faced an FBI raid in his Georgetown home in June 2019. He was later fined $20,000 by the D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability.
The Ward 2 Councilman was the longest-serving elected official in the District.
Jack Evans Allegedly Threatened Metro Officials to Cover Up Ethics Violation