James Evans had been elected to Powys County Council in 2017,[1] representing the Gwernyfed ward, and was cabinet member for economic development, housing and regulatory services. In 2018 he was criticised for retaining this cabinet role while in New Zealand on a National Farmers' Union scholarship to study deer farming and vension production.[2]
At the 2021 Senedd elections, Evans contested the Brecon and Radnorshire constituency and was elected, becoming the first Conservative MS for this constituency.[3][4] He maintained his role as a councillor until the 2022 Powys County Council elections, which he did not contest.[5] Evans is a member of the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee.[6] He is a member of cross-party groups on armed forces and cadets, beer and pubs, horseracing, preventing child sexual abuse, rural growth, small shops, suicide prevention and tourism.[6]