Current:Home > reviewsUnrepentant Jan. 6 rioter Derrick Evans goes up against GOP Rep. Carol Miller in West Virginia -Capitatum
Unrepentant Jan. 6 rioter Derrick Evans goes up against GOP Rep. Carol Miller in West Virginia
Rekubit Exchange View
Date:2025-04-06 18:07:47
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Incumbent Rep. Carol Miller has seen plenty of political challengers throughout her long, popular career, but perhaps not one as boisterous as Derrick Evans, her opponent in Tuesday’s Republican primary in West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District.
Evans was a participant in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, and his verbal attacks on the three-term congresswoman have grown louder as the election has neared.
Both are huge backers of former President Donald Trump, but that’s where the similarities may end.
Miller has kept a low profile compared to some of her more outspoken colleagues since becoming the third woman from West Virginia elected to Congress in 2018. The 73-year-old bison farmer and small business owner also served six terms in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Her father is the late U.S. Rep. Samuel Devine of Ohio.
In 2022, Miller received 66% of the vote in a five-candidate GOP primary en route to winning her third term in Congress. This time, Evans is her only opponent.
The 39-year-old Evans, whose campaign over the past month has pushed out emails almost daily highlighting his love for Trump and his attacks on Miller, was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates two months before the Jan. 6 riot. He calls himself the only elected official who “had the courage” to stand behind efforts to temporarily halt the certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. He livestreamed himself on Facebook cheering on what he described as a “revolution.”
Evans was arrested two days after the riot and resigned his seat a month before the 2021 legislative session. He pleaded guilty to a felony civil disorder charge and served three months in prison. At his sentencing hearing, Evans apologized for his actions, but he did an about-face upon leaving prison. He began portraying himself as a victim of a politically motivated prosecution.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s complete coverage of this year’s election.
Evans once called himself a Democrat, finishing sixth out of seven candidates in a state House primary in 2016. He then switched to the Libertarian Party in the general election and finished last among five candidates.
In the campaign against Miller, Evans has called her a “commie RINO” who “refused to stand and fight with President Trump,” as well as an “undocumented Democrat.” Miller was aligned with Trump in nearly 100% of her House votes while the former president was in office.
Evans has echoed false claims still made by Trump that the 2020 election was stolen. And in the hours after Evans and other rioters had stormed the Capitol, Miller voted to challenge the Electoral College results in two states Biden won. Miller said in a statement at the time that she had a constitutional duty to “ensure that all Americans have access to free, fair, and accurate elections.”
In an email to The Associated Press, Miller did not directly address the 2020 result. But she said she is the only candidate in the race who “has never been a registered Democrat or run for office as a Democrat.”
The winner of Tuesday’s race moves on to the Nov. 5 general election to face one of two Democrats from Charleston — Vietnam veteran Jim Umberger or educator Chris Reed.
In the 2nd Congressional District, state Treasurer Riley Moore was among five candidates seeking the GOP nomination for the seat being vacated by Republican Alex Mooney, who is running for U.S. Senate. Democrat Steven Wendelin was running unopposed.
West Virginia hasn’t elected a Democrat to the House since 2012 and was one of only two states where Trump won every county in 2016 and 2020.
veryGood! (72)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Tornadoes hit Texas and Oklahoma, killing at least 2 people and injuring dozens
- Life Is Hard For Migrants On Both Sides Of The Border Between Africa And Europe
- A record high number of dead trees are found as Oregon copes with an extreme drought
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Pregnant Lindsay Lohan and Husband Bader Shammas Spotted in NYC After Baby Shower
- We're Obsessed With the Mermaidcore Aesthetic for Summer: 17 Wearable Pieces to Take on the Trend
- 20 Must-Have Amazon Products For People Who Are Always Spilling Things
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- 5 years on, failures from Hurricane Maria loom large as Puerto Rico responds to Fiona
Ranking
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Developing nations suffering from climate change will demand financial help
- Why Rachel McAdams Wanted to Show Her Armpit Hair and Body in All Its Glory
- Love Is Blind Season 4 Status Check: Find Out Which Couples Are Still Together
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Emma Watson Shares Rare Insight Into Her Private Life in Birthday Message
- Grasslands: The Unsung Carbon Hero
- Taylor Swift Just Subtly Shared How She's Doing After Joe Alwyn Breakup
Recommendation
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
Federal climate forecasts could help prepare for extreme rain. But it's years away
Glee’s Kevin McHale Regrets Not Praising Cory Monteith’s Acting Ability More Before His Death
3 tribes dealing with the toll of climate change get $75 million to relocate
Sam Taylor
Here's what happened today at the U.N.'s COP27 climate negotiations
EPA seeks to mandate more use of ethanol and other biofuels
Love Is Blind’s Bartise Bowden Reveals Name of Baby Boy During Reunion