Minot, North Dakota — Matt Evans, currently serving as the chairman of the North Dakota District 25 Republicans, has officially announced his candidacy for the state House this election year. He aims to represent a district that includes Wahpeton, Richland County, and parts of Sargent County. Evans joins a growing list of candidates declaring their intentions as the new election cycle begins, but his background raises significant concerns among voters.
In August 2022, a report highlighted a Telegram chat group involving members of the North Dakota Young Republicans, revealing an alarming number of hateful messages targeting racial minorities and the LGBTQ community. Evans was an active participant in this group, where discussions included derogatory remarks about public figures. In one instance, he referred to state Senator Josh Boschee, currently running for mayor of Fargo, as a “degenerate clown.” Furthermore, Evans described both Boschee and Fargo City Commissioner John Strand, who are openly gay, as “alphabet soup creatures,” a derogatory term aimed at the LGBTQ acronym.
Evans’ behavior in this chat group came to public attention when it became clear that the exchanges were being reported. Rather than expressing remorse, Evans appeared to double down on his comments. During an interview with Ben Schirrick, then president of the North Dakota State University’s College Republicans, who had made offensive comments about an LGBT gathering, Evans questioned the leak of the group’s messages. He directly addressed a post to the reporter, urging a focus on what he termed “enemies of the right” instead of the “good guys.”
Evans wrote, “Dear Rob, if you repent of being uncool, and become a muck raker that targets enemies of the right, instead of a muck raker that tries to target the good guys, you will be forgiven, and you will be allowed to lead a modest and uneventful life in the New Dominion.” The term “New Dominion” refers to dominionism, a belief within some conservative Christian circles that advocates for Christians to assert control over various aspects of society, including government and media.
The Telegram group featured other notable participants, including Damian Johnston, son of state Representative Daniel Johnston, who faced charges related to the January 6 attack on Congress. Johnston’s legal troubles were later alleviated by blanket pardons from former President Donald Trump. Other members included Andrea Toman, who was managing a U.S. Senate campaign, and Jared Hendrix, a current representative in Fargo’s District 10.
Evans’ leadership of the District 25 Republicans has also drawn scrutiny for implementing a religious litmus test when evaluating candidates to replace former Representative Cindy Schreiber-Beck, who passed away during her term. Candidates seeking this appointment were required to disclose their religious beliefs and church affiliations, raising concerns about the inclusivity of the party.
As the election year progresses, Evans’ candidacy will likely continue to draw attention due to his controversial past and the implications it holds for the political landscape in North Dakota. Voters will undoubtedly weigh his previous comments and actions against his current platform as they make their choices in the upcoming elections.