Lawrence resident Mike Gaughan will take office Monday as the newest Douglas County commissioner.

Gaughan will replace Commissioner Charles Jones, who resigned in March to focus more on his increasing responsibilities as director of the Kansas University Public Management Center.

Gaughan will be sworn into office during the commission meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the commission chamber on the second floor of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass. County leaders will also honor Jones for his 10 years of county service during the meeting, County Administrator Craig Weinaug said.

Democratic precinct committee members who live in the county’s 1st District, which is mostly central Lawrence, selected Gaughan to fulfill Jones’ term. He will face re-election in 2010.

Gaughan, 31, is an aide to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, and until last year he served three years as executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party.Lawrence resident Mike Gaughan will take office Monday as the newest Douglas County commissioner.