New Allegan County Commissioner Tom Jessup (right) was sworn in by Chief Deputy Clerk Jackie Porter while Board Chairman Jim Storey looks on.

Former Allegan County Board of Commissioners member Tom Jesus Wednesday was appointed by the board to fill out the remainder of the late Dean Kapenga’s term.

The board, by state law, had to appoint a commissioner by Sept. 4 to serve the remainder of the term, which expires Dec. 31.

Kapenga died earlier this month. He had served District #3, which includes Casco, Cheshire, Clyde, Ganges, Lee, Manlius, and Saugatuck townships and the cities of Douglas, Saugatuck, Fennville, and a portion of South Haven.

The board received 11 applications. A special meeting was called for Wednesday, during which all remaining applicants, nine after two withdrawals, were interviewed.

Commissioner Jessup in August 2022 ran for the seat in the primary and lost to Kapenga.