James Evans (Mississippi politician)

James Evans (born circa 1880s, died after 1930) was an American politician who served in the Mississippi House of Representatives representing Jefferson County.

Little information is readily available about James Evans' early life or career before entering politics. He was African American, and his election to the Mississippi House reflects the significant, albeit temporary, increase in Black political representation during the Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction era, even as white supremacist groups worked to disenfranchise Black voters.

Evans served in the Mississippi House of Representatives in the early 20th century. Specific details regarding his committee assignments, legislative initiatives, and voting record are limited due to gaps in available historical records. He served during a period of significant racial tension and political maneuvering in Mississippi, as white Democrats sought to consolidate their control over state government and limit the influence of African Americans. The precise years of his service remain unconfirmed in widely available resources.

His political career occurred during a period of substantial challenges for African Americans in Mississippi, including widespread poverty, limited access to education, and systematic disenfranchisement through poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory practices. The limited information available about James Evans highlights the difficulties in reconstructing the full history of Black political participation during this era. His presence in the Mississippi House, however brief, represents a significant moment in the state's history.