Despite current Minority Leader Brad Jones having publicly secured enough votes to retain his post, Republican state Rep. Lewis Evangelidis has no intention of ending his candidacy.

"The vote for minority leader happens every two years and is going to happen on Jan. 7," Evangelidis, of Holden, told PolitickerMA.com. "So, I find it kind of curious that people think that the election is over and it has been decided. What I am doing between now and Jan. 7 is I am talking to every member of the caucus constantly and I am calling every member of the state committee. And I have been getting good feedback that we need new leaders and voices in the State House."

Evangelidis announced in the middle of November that he was challenging Jones, of North Reading, for his post. Nine of the 16-member caucus, however, have publicly stated that they are backing Jones, giving him enough votes to stay on as minority leader.

Nevertheless, Evangelidis is undeterred. In a statement last week, Evangelidis said he is looking forward to the vote on Jan. 7 and that he plans to continue courting members of the caucus.

"It's a work in progress," he told PolitickerMA.com. "Every day I am more energized by the need we have to have a strong minority leader."

Evangelidis also responded to an email sent by GOP state Rep. Paul Frost sent to his supporters and obtained by PolitickerMA.com. In the email, Frost, who is supporting Jones, called on Evangelidis to run for chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, a post that is currently open. Evangelidis said he has no interest in that.

"No it's not on my radar screen and I appreciate the concern for the party and where I should be," he said. "I think minority leader is the highest elected official we have and I think it would be ideal."