Evan Hutchison

Evan Hutchison was born in Tucson, Arizona. He earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 2000 and a graduate degree from Harvard Kennedy School in 2010. His career experience includes working as a political organizer.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Evan Hutchison is a political organizer with over two decades of experience in progressive electoral and advocacy campaigns who is running for Congress to fight for peace in Palestine and Israel and justice at home.

Since 2002, Evan has led prominent Democratic campaigns battling Republicans’ extremist takeover of reproductive health care and the GOP’s anti-LGBTQ agenda. His work in the Bush-Kerry presidential campaign was featured in the IFC documentary “… So Goes the Nation,” highlighting his electoral strategy of empowering grassroots, peer-to-peer outreach.

In New York’s Tenth District, Evan served as the campaign manager in 2008 for Paul Newell’s state Assembly campaign that nearly toppled the powerful darling of real estate developers Shelly Silver, who was later convicted on federal corruption charges and forced to resign. As manager, Evan helped his first-time candidate garner the trifecta of endorsements from the New York Times, the Daily News, and the New York Post.

Evan’s connections to the Tenth District go back to 2001, when he lived in the infamous 247 Water Street building that sparked the expansion of the Loft Law to DUMBO. Evan is a proud graduate of Columbia College in New York City and recipient of a Masters of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, where his focus was political advocacy and leadership.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. Evan’s campaign starts with the immediate moral need for the U.S. to rein in the far-right Israeli government and recognize its intent to destroy the Palestinian nation and decimate its people. As a new voice in Congress, Evan will raise the visibility of a broader solution involving negotiations with multiple regional parties, respecting Palestinian and Israeli sovereignty, implementing hostage releases, and bringing accountability for war crimes committed by Hamas and the Netanyahu government.Affordable housing for all. Evan will aggressively pursue solutions at the federal level to the high cost of rental housing and lowering homeownership rates in New York City neighborhoods by taking on hugely powerful Wall Street firms. Number one on his agenda is enforcing existing rent stabilization laws and bringing transparency to the real estate market by creating a breakthrough, publicly available database of rent-stabilized units.

Evan will push for the End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act, a bill introduced in Congress that would ban hedge fund giants from purchasing up single-family homes and condos, a potentially landmark change that would rebalance the housing market.Abortion rights. Evan’s political organizing has been focused on defending individual bodily autonomy. Evan will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the most passionate advocates in Congress for access to abortion, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, and protect a woman’s right to seek an abortion across state lines — without fear of prosecution or imprisonment, an area where the federal government can bring its full legal force to bear.

Evan will fight to keep the issue of abortion access and reproductive rights front and center in Congress by calling for direct aid (including cash cards to facilitate access to care in the Free States and money for legal representation) to women in the Red States who are barred from access.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a Harvard Kennedy School alum and longtime political advocate and organizer, my knowledge and engagement with public policy is deep. The events in Israel and Palestine have put foreign policy issues to the forefront for me and have led me to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

Abortion rights and access to reproductive care are crucial for women in living in states with bans in effect.

Economic policy and reparations for African-Americans are crucial elements of restorative economic justice along with a balancing of the egregious income and asset inequality we are experiencing as a nation. Access to affordable housing is another key element of equitable economic policies.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Bobby Kennedy is my political hero. He knew it was likely he would die if he ran for President, and he did it anyway- and did it right. We would be a different nation if he had not been assassinated- we would have made more strides against institutional racism and projected peace with power throughout the world.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Peter Kropotkin was a Russian naturalist who was exiled by the last Tsar and wrote a book called "Mutual Aid." He critiques Social Darwinism, the idea that competition advances humanity, and argues that we advance through cooperation and coordination, like many other organisms on earth. Kropotkin gives a history of mutual aid and cooperation in European society that shows that there is an alternative to the dichotomy of capitalism and communism. He gives the example of market practices in towns and cities in the Middle Ages. If a grain merchant wanted to sell in the market, they had to sell at cost until the community's basic needs were met, and then they could sell their surplus at a profit. They balanced the redistribution of wealth with profitmaking in an amazing way that created an artisan and commercial class that provided for their communities while prospering themselves. Kropotkin's dream for humanity was a system of decentralized, freely associating, and self-governing communities and workers cooperatives. While I don't think his utopia is practical, I do believe we can have less hierarchical forms of political, economic, and civic organization that will enable us all to deal with the current and coming climate crises and build a more equitable economy and accessible political system.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty with discretion, sagacity, and a dedication to achieving the best outcomes possible for their constituents while balancing the pursuit of national priorities.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have a deep understanding of the policymaking and electoral processes. I don't want to be a lone voice, I want to build aggressive progressive political power within the House of Representatives and end the chronic incumbency that plagues the Democrats by openly challenging colleagues within the party in Congress that betray their ideals, their constituents, and the nation. I also want to provide unparalleled constituent services by constantly gauging the needs of the community through an open-door policy, town halls, and community surveys.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To represent the plurality of their constituents and adhere to and uphold the Constitution of the United States and advance the democratization of our society.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the 1984 presidential election well- Reagan/Mondale. I was 6 years old. My sister, the artist Heather Hutchison, made Reagan voodoo dolls. One ended up in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked at a car wash when I was 15 years old. I worked there for about a year.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Odyssey by Homer. It's beautiful to read out loud, portrays loss and grief with painful intensity, and reminds me that no matter how clever I may think I am, there is only so much I can control.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Falkor, the Luck Dragon from Neverending Story. I just want to fly around, be magic, and make everyone's day.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Million Dollar Baby" - Tommy Richman. Banger of summer '24.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 27 years old. It took years for me to find the right treatment, but I finally did and my life is wonderful. It made me strong and resilient, I can guarantee you I am tougher than most. Every time I see a mentally ill or neuro-divergent person brutalized or murdered by police, my heart breaks and I think how if I had been less lucky and received less care, it could have been me. I desperately want to reform policing and mental health care, we have effectively replaced long-term mental health care facilities with jails and prisons and made it a crime, and sometimes a death penalty, to be mentally ill.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The two-year term makes Representatives more accountable to their constituency than any other position in the Federal government. The idea that your record and conduct are up for review every two years (if you aren't in a severely gerrymandered district) is crucial in balancing the six-year terms of Senators, lifetime judicial appointments, and four-year Presidential terms.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe experience in politics and/or government is important to have as a legislator, but not necessary. I have worked in electoral politics for over 20 years. I believe my understanding of the pressures politicians can face at the polls and the role of electoral politics and money in shaping legislative caucuses and policy will be instrumental in enabling me to get things done in Congress. Most decisions made by legislators are motivated by the prospect of re-election, and understanding the levers of the machine will help me to persuade and compel my colleagues to do right by NY-10 and the nation.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Racism, violent misogyny, economic inequality, foreign conflicts, and the climate crisis.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes, as I stated above- it makes the House of Representatives the most accountable institution in the Federal government.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I believe legislative term limits are as important as executive ones are, but they need to allow for enough terms for an officeholder to gain some expertise and provide institutional continuity.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Rep. Mo Udall (D-Ariz.) was the first major Democrat to unequivocally oppose President Johnson and his escalation of the Vietnam War when it was not a popular position in his district. We need more of that courage right now.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

One Palestinian-American woman told me she has lost 17 members of her extended family in the genocide perpetrated by Netanyahu and his government. Old and young; men and women- all innocent civilians.

Tell us your favorite joke.

John Fetterman- looking at him makes me laugh.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

We must have red lines we will not cross or certain social and political causes and principles will be lost. Anything that compromises the enfranchisement of citizens, reproductive health, the Bill of Rights, and the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a no-go for me.

Beyond that, I hope to govern as a pragmatist who can listen to, empathize with, and support my colleagues across the political spectrum when a policy could benefit the nation or the constituents of NY-10.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I would use the power of the purse to immediately advocate for the suspension of military aid to Israel until there is an immediate and permanent ceasefire. The House of Representatives can not continue to fund atrocities and war crimes. We also need to end the blanket authorization for the President to use military force in the Global War on Terrorism. We have to curtail the war machine, and the House of Representatives has the power to do so.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The House should not use its powers to investigate the NBA, Ticketmaster, or any other headline-grabbing crap. The investigative powers of the U.S. House should deal with issues that directly affect the quality of life of American citizens and residents, not with frivolities and distractions.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Andrew Bodiford, candidate for NYS Assembly.

What committees interest you?

Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are essential to our democracy. If we don't know how money is flowing and influencing politics and government, then we have no opportunity to change things. For example, the revelations of Justice Clarence Thomas' receipt of millions in gifts may be a first step in reforming the Supreme Court.