[3] Then, in September 1996, Mantilla began her second political campaign, running against the incumbent Eddie Garcia to be a state representative for Connecticut's district 4.
He ran as an independent candidate to challenge Mantilla, claiming that she was "promoting the homosexual lifestyle in our schools."
Evelyn is now Executive Director of ITNCentralCT, a nonprofit organization that helps seniors and people who have a visual disability remain independent by providing volunteer drivers.
She also continues to run Mantilla Leadership Solutions, a private public affairs and political services firm.
Mantilla has held leadership positions with the National Council for Community and Justice and the Hartford Sexual Assault Crisis Service.
She has received awards from the Connecticut Institute for Community Development and the National Association of Social Workers, among others.