HANCOCK COUNTY — A Greenfield native has thrown his proverbial hat into the political ring as a replacement for outgoing Indiana State Rep. Bob Cherry. Cherry announced recently he will not seek re-election for House District 53 in 2024.

Brian Evans, who turns 30 in December, announced via a press release Tuesday morning he plans to open an exploratory campaign for House District 53.

District 53 inscludes a portion of South Madison County, including Pendleton, as well as a large portion of Hancock County.

“With Representative Bob Cherry’s recent announcement not to seek reelection next year, I would like the honor of earning this district’s support to represent them in the Statehouse in 2024,” Evans said in the release. “After 25 years of dedicated service to our district, it does not go unnoticed to me how big of shoes I am seeking to fill. Therefore, I promise to give this district the same integrity, compassion, and dedication to service the county has had for many years.”

Evans, a 2012 Greenfield-Central High School graduate, lives in Hancock County with his wife, Sarah, and their two boys, with a third baby on the way.

After graduating from G-CHS, Evans went straight into the military and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served on active duty for four and a half years.

“My service in the Marine Corps Infantry eventually took me to Washington D.C., serving on a special duty assignment at Marine Barracks Washington,” he said.

Evans said he led Marines in services at the White House, Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, where he learned a deeper understanding of service, duty and sacrifice.

“As my time in the Marine Corps came to an end and being newly married to my wife, Sarah, I decided to stay in D.C. and continue my service in a different capacity,” he said.

Evans was offered a management position in the White House for the Office of Presidential Correspondence, Executive Office of the President. He said that during his time there he saw a disconnect between the federal government and everyday people.

“More importantly, my office allowed me to hear from people all over the country and learn firsthand how legislation both at the federal and state level impacts their lives directly,” Evans said.

After two years of service at the White House, Evans and his wife decided it was time to move back to Greenfield in 2019 to start and raise a family.

“I have spent the past four years working for nonprofit organizations doing workforce and economic development across the state, as well as serving in the Indiana National Guard,” Evans said. “My work has shown me the great things our state is doing, but also what we can improve on. I have dedicated my life to serving our country and state. Now I want to serve my community and represent our district in the Statehouse as our next state representative.”

Like his family members before him, Evans said it’s important to get involved in leading and working for the community where a person lives.

Evans’ grandfather, Gary Evans, was once on the Greenfield City Council. His uncle, Brad Evans, has worked as an assistant street commissioner while Scott Evans, Brian’s cousin, has also worked for the street department.