“I have nothing to hide,” Gabe Evans said. But now he’s running from a reporter asking questions

At the start of his congressional campaign, Gabe Evans promised to talk to everyone.

“I have nothing to hide,” Evans said during one KHNC radio interview in February. “I hand out my cell phone to anyone who listens. I think if your job is to represent people, you have to be accessible.”

But as questions have piled up about his stance on abortion, health care, gay marriage and more, he dodges questions and even darts away as a limping reporter with a recent hip replacement questions him and follows him through a restaurant and into the parking lot.

After months of no response to emails sent to Evans’ campaign website, I found Evans, who is trying to defeat U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), at the Brighton Harvest Festival last Saturday.

Colorado Times Recorder: “Hey Gabe.”

Evans: “How are you?”

CTR: “Jason Salzman with the Colorado Times Recorder.“

Evans: “How are you?”

CTR: “Good to see you.”

Evans: “You too.”

CTR: “I tried to reach you through your website but did not hear back.”

Evans: “You’ll have to contact Alan.”

CTR: “To Alan Philp?”

Evans: “Yes, contact Alan.”

CTR: “Don’t you want to talk to me?”

Evans: “Contact Alan.”

CTR: “Why? No questions?”

Evans: “Show Alan, he’s the one who does my media.”

CTR: “Well, here you are. A question is no problem for you.”

Evans: “Contact Alan.”

CTR: “If I contact him, will you talk to me through Alan?”

Evans: “Yes. Contact Alan. He does my media.”

CTR: “Okay, thank you very much.”

So I went back to the office and sent an email to Alan Philp, Evans’ spokesman.

“Hi Alan –

I hope you are doing well.

I saw State Rep. Gabe Evans in Brighton yesterday, and when I tried to talk to him, he repeatedly said, “Talk to Alan.”

Therefore, I am contacting you to find a time when I can talk to Representative Evans for fifteen minutes, but even a five minute interview would help. I would like to discuss Patrick Henry College and the related issues of abortion and gay marriage.

Thank you in advance for contacting me.’

After a few days of waiting, I saw that Evans was among the speakers Friday morning at a “Longmont Town Hall” at the Peppers Fireside Grill, about a half hour north of Denver.

I arrived to watch Evans, who is running in one of the most competitive congressional races in the country, answer questions from the mostly friendly crowd.

After the presentation, I approached Evans, who had just spoken to a student and was standing next to Alan Philp.

Colorado Times Recorder: “Hi Gabe. Jason Salzman, Colorado Times Recorder. Is this a good time to talk to me? Here’s Alan, here.’

Evans: “Wait a minute.”

I followed him as he walked to another part of the restaurant and back to where Philp was standing.

I asked Philp: “Can I ask my questions?”

“We’re doing well,” Philp replied.

Phil and Evans walked out the front door and I followed.

“Your aunt says you’re still against gay marriage and abortion rights,” I shouted, struggling to keep up with them. “Is that true? Your aunt says you still hold those positions.”

“Thanks, Jason,” Philp replied.

“Okay, Alan. Thank you. You have a nice day.”

Unanswered, after all this ridiculous cat-and-mouse, are serious and fundamental questions voters are asking as Election Day approaches.

Abortion. In one opinion articleEvans’ aunt, Jennifer Chavez, wrote that her cousin Gabe, despite his claims to the contrary, still opposes gay marriage and would ban abortion. What is Evans’ response to this? His website states that he wants to ‘protect life in all states’. It too reads, “Coloradans must determine how to best protect the lives of women and babies.” What does Evans think should be Colorado’s abortion policy? He refuses to say: ignoring follow-up questions from reporters.

Gay marriage. The college Evans attended mentions on its website“Human sexuality is a great blessing created by God that we can enjoy within the context of a monogamous marriage between a man and a woman.” Does Gabe agree? Will he denounce this?

Democracy. Evans said “no-ish” when asked if the 2020 presidential election was legitimate. Is he confident that this year’s presidential election will be fair? Or does he expect to answer “no-ish” again when asked after the upcoming election if this was legitimate?

You would think that a candidate like Evans, who says he has “nothing to hide” and will give his cell phone number to “anyone who listens,” would answer questions from the Colorado Times Recordereven though it is a progressive publication. I keep asking, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen.