Elease Evans

Elease Evans (June 6, 1943) is an American Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from November 2007 until January 2012, representing the 35th legislative district. Ms. Evans held a seat that was vacated by former Assemblyman Alfred E. Steele on September 10, 2007. She was first sworn into the Assembly on November 9, 2007.

Evans has served on the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders since 2002 and was selected by her fellow Freeholders to serve as Freeholder Director since 2004. On January 2, 2007, Evans was unanimously chosen to serve a fourth term as Freeholder Director.

As Freeholder Director, Evans earns an $1,000 on top of her $28,500 annual freeholder salary, presides over public meetings and is responsible for appointing board members to committees.

She simultaneously held a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly and as Freeholder. This dual position, often called double dipping, is allowed under a grandfather clause in the state law enacted by the New Jersey Legislature and signed into law by Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine in September 2007 that prevents dual-office-holding but allows those who had held both positions as of February 1, 2008, to retain both posts. She did not seek re-election to her Freeholder seat in 2007, though.