BREMERTON — Bremerton School Board member Naomi Evans said Jan. 17 she will challenge state Rep. Jesse Young for his 26th District Position 1State House seat.

Evans was elected to the Bremerton School Board in 2015. In announcing her bid, Evans, a Republican, said she has worked collaboratively with district leaders “to implement [policies] that improve outcomes for students.”

She said her focus as a school board member has been special education, career and tech opportunities and community engagement. Evans is one of five board members overseeing a $64 million annual budget for the Bremerton School District, which has 5,400 students and 900 staff members.

“Giving of myself to my community gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment,” Evans said of her school board duties and her upcoming bid for state representative.

Evans said she will “work fine-tuning the ‘McCleary fix’ — EHB 2242 — that has left noticeable shortfalls within special education funding and classified staff compensation.”

“I’m working to improve greater funding for social services, mental health and properly addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic in our communities.”

Evans lives in Bremerton with her husband, Andrew, and their three school-age children.

She is employed as the finance coordinator for The Arc of Kitsap and Jefferson County. She has a certificate in paralegal studies.