He pleaded for forgiveness, but got booed. He played the populist, drawing angry jeers. And he fought back, throwing a few verbal counterpunches after what may have seemed like a stream of body blows.

On Thursday night former Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans made his public debut in his attempt to win back the seat he resigned from in disgrace in January. Speaking at a forum alongside eight other candidates, Evans was both conciliatory and combative, pitching himself as a man who made mistakes but still had decades of experience under his belt that would benefit his constituents.

“I made some big mistakes and have embarrassed our city, have embarrassed the Council, have embarrassed the ward, have embarrassed my family, and have embarrassed myself,” he said in his opening statement during the candidate forum at the Foundry United Methodist Church on 16th Street NW. “I have disappointed many people, and I am enormously apologetic for it. I am here tonight to ask you for your forgiveness, and for a second chance to represent you.”

But neither the large crowd—which repeatedly and restlessly booed and jeered him—or his challengers seemed willing to let Evans get away with a mere apology for the ethical misconduct that prompted him to resign only weeks before his colleagues were set to expel him from office.

“We need a clean break. No more Jack Evans, no more Jack Evans’ next generation,” said Katherine Venice, the sole Republican in the race.

“Because of Jack Evans’ scandals, we don’t even have a Council member right now,” angrily added Kishan Putta, an ANC commissioner for Burleith and Georgetown.

“I know that public service is a privilege, not a business opportunity,” offered Jordan Grossman, a former staffer in the Obama administration. “Instead of serving us, he was using his public office to serve himself.”

Amid questions about transportation, school, development, crime, and city finances, Evans attempted to project the same air of confidence and experience that kept him in office for almost three decades. But he also presented himself as a man reformed, a person to be trusted once again. It was never clear the audience bought it, though.

When all the candidates were asked to raise their hands if they would commit to not taking outside employment while in office—Evans long had a second job as a lawyer and consultant, raising the ethical concerns that ultimately cost him his seat—he enthusiastically raised both hands. “Are you kidding?” came an incredulous shout from the crowd.

And after almost every other candidate—the roster also includes Daniel Hernandez, Yilin Zhang, John Fanning, and Brooke Pinto—said they agreed with Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau’s recent pledge to restart expulsion proceedings against Evans if he is re-elected to office, Evans responded with a mix of contrition and populism.

“I have apologized for the mistakes I made. But I have a 29-year legacy representing you on the Council. We are a forgiving city. And people do get second chances,” he said, pledging to do away with many of the Council perks he had once enjoyed—including special license plates that exempt lawmakers from parking citations and the free tickets they get to sporting and musical events at Nationals Park and the Capital One Arena. “I have learned my lesson,” he added.

“I just don’t know why you’re doing this,” responded Patrick Kennedy, a Foggy Bottom ANC commissioner who once served as Evans’ re-election campaign chairman.

“I could represent this ward better than anyone,” fired back Evans, showing his first flash of anger of night. “If you want to get into a back and forth, I am happy to do that.”

In an interview with WAMU after the forum ended, Evans said he felt the event had gone well, and that he was sincere in his apology. “You learn lessons. And that’s certainly what I have done. The balance I bring to the Council is critical, and it’s just not there now,” he said.

Some residents seemed willing to give him the second chance he’s asking for, both in the June 2 Democratic primary and the June 16 special election to choose someone to finish out the last six months left on Evans’ term.

“I think it was incredibly sincere,” said Diane Quinn, a 40-year-resident of Ward 2. “He really had to dig deep to give such an apology. I really felt for him. I know he has worked exceedingly hard for the city. I’m sorry he got himself in such a mess, but I understand he is very knowledgable and he knows how to make things happen.”

Others were more circumspect, torn over Evans’ sincerity and whether what he once did on the Council merited him a chance to return. But Ruth Connelly, a Ward 2 voter, said she at least commended him for showing up.

“He had a lot of guts,” she said.

This story originally appeared on WAMU.