Representative Paul Evans was born in Salem, Oregon, and raised in nearby Monmouth. A 1988 graduate of Central High School in Independence, Paul entered public service early, being elected to the Monmouth City Council at just 18 years old making him one of the youngest elected officials in the nation at the time. He served on the council throughout his college years.

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:

• Education and workforce training
• Emergency preparedness and public safety
• Infrastructure resilience
• Small business development
• Veterans' services
• Workplace fairness

Paul has held several leadership roles in the Legislature, including:

• Chair, House Committee on Veterans and Emergency Preparedness (2017–2022)
• Chair, House Special Committee on Wildfire Recovery (2022)
• Co-Chair, Public Safety Subcommittee, Joint Committee on Ways & Means (since 2022)
• Co-Chair, Oregon Veterans Caucus (appointed August 2025)
• Assistant Majority Leader, House Democratic Caucus ** The Assistant Majority Leader of the House Democratic Caucus is chosen by fellow members of the House**

Committee Assignments (since 2015):

• House Committee on Business & Labor
• House Committee on Education
• House Committee on Housing & Human Services
• House Committee on Transportation
• House Committee on Veterans and Emergency Preparedness
• House Special Committee on Wildfire Recovery
• Joint Committee on Ways & Means
• Joint Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development
• Joint Subcommittee on Public Safety
• Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response
• Emergency Board

Paul also serves in several House-appointed roles:

• Member, Oregon Homeland Security Council
• Non-voting Member, Oregon Public Defense Commission
• Member, Oregon State Capitol Foundation

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.​