Scranton has a new mayor for the rest of the year.
Wayne Evans, a Republican Scranton City Council member, was selected by a 4-0 vote by his colleagues on Wednesday to fill the seat vacated by disgraced former Mayor Bill Courtright, according to the Citizens Voice.
Courtright resigned from office earlier this month and pleaded guilty to federal charges that included bribery, conspiracy, and “attempt to obstruct commerce by extortion.” The former Democratic Mayor was in the middle of a second term upon his resignation.
Evans, who was one of 13 candidates who interviewed for the position, was viewed at the frontrunner, WNEP reports.
He said he was “humbled and honored” to be selected and promised to bring integrity to the office.
“For me it’s a culmination of a lifetime of service to our city,” Evans said. “I will do everything that I can to make you all proud.”
Remarks from Councilman Wayne Evans after his colleagues vote to appoint him temporary mayor. #Scranton pic.twitter.com/T5JxzdYE5V
— Jeff Horvath (@jhorvathTT) July 24, 2019
Evans said he will not run for mayor in November, which was a condition of his temporary appointment, according to WNEP. The Nov. 5 special election will determine who will fill the remainder of Courtright’s unexpired term, which runs through 2021, replacing Evans in Jan. 2020, Citizens Voice reports.
He will be sworn in Thursday afternoon.