Evans to Run for Council Chair Against Mendelson
By • January 29, 2026 0 149
Former Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans announced this week that he will seek the Democratic nomination for District Council Chair — pitting him against former colleague and incumbent Chair Phil Mendelson. The primary election is on June 16.
A resident of Georgetown, Evans represented Ward 2 on the Council from 1991 to 2020. He resigned his seat after the D.C. Council found that he had violated ethics rules. However, by 2022, he was cleared of any wrongdoing. Evans was not charged with any crime.
To his critics, Evans says, “Mistakes were made. … It won’t happen again.”
Despite the scandal, he remains active in the neighborhood and civic life.
Two years ago, Mendelson appointed Evans to a volunteer position on the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Last year, Evans become a housing and development project manager for the Department of Housing and Community Development. He has since left that job.
Now, Jack is back. Even some of his friends and supporters didn’t believe he was going to do it — until he did.
The 72-year-old Evans told The Georgetowner on Jan. 29: “I’m running to bring new leadership, along with institutional knowledge and experience” — to work with the younger Council members.
He said, “I’m best known for my financial expertise — and bringing baseball back to Washington.” Evans noted he is a big “supporter of the arts” — from funding local programs to keeping arts in the schools.
Also, the single father of three continued, “Education is foundational.” He promised to make an education committee at the Council — “every member should get a committee.”
Still, Evans conceded, “D.C.’s most pressing issue is our interaction with the federal government” and would like to decrease some of the National Guard presence around the city. He added, “I get along with everyone” — meaning the president, the mayor, the Council.
In his latest job, Evans said he had “a great experience learning about affordable housing,” another key phrase for today’s campaigns.
Speaking of campaigns, he needs to get 2,000 signatures to get on the ballot and is setting an account for his public financing on Monday.
Evans also said he has not spoken with his opponent about his decision to seek elected office again.
Meanwhile, Mendelson — Council Chair since 2012 — told the Washington Post this week: “Elections are about voter choice, and I welcome that voters will have a choice with this election.”
