Evansville Town Council appoints interim mayor

CASPER (WNE) — The Evansville Town Council selected an interim mayor during its Monday meeting.

Ernie Blackford, who was elected to the council last year and previously served on the council for two terms, will fill the role of mayor.

Blackford’s term as mayor will last until the general election next November, at which point there will be a mayoral election.

Former Mayor Candace Machado resigned Nov. 1, citing pressure to maintain the status quo and what she insists is a political system that fosters discrimination in a Facebook post.

Council members spent nearly 45 minutes in an executive session privately deliberating before selecting Blackford.

Evansville will accept letters of interest for the now-open council position (Blackford’s) until Dec. 1 and conduct interviews at its Dec. 8 meeting.

The process of selecting a mayor and filling an open council seat is familiar for Evansville, as Machado was selected to fill the position in February 2024 after former Mayor Chad Edwards resigned because of health issues. Councilwoman Alona Vigneault was appointed to the council a few months later to fill Machado’s seat.

In the months leading up to her resignation, a small group of Evansville residents called on Machado to step down after miniature flags donated by Casper Pride were placed on the lawn of the Evansville Municipal Building.

Councilman Greg Flesvig formally asked Machado to step down at a council meeting in June. At the time, Machado repeatedly said she had no desire to resign.

In Machado’s resignation announcement — posted on her Facebook — the former mayor said it was time to “leave a position that no longer serves me.”

This story was published on Nov. 13, 2025.