FORMER CAPE MAN ELECTED TO KANSAS SEAT

Former Cape Girardeau resident Gerry Geringer won the 65th District seat in the Kansas House of Representatives.

He graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1950 and from Southeast Missouri State University in 1955. He is employed as a health-care consultant in Junction City, Kan., and will begin his legislative term Jan. 9.

Geringer took 60 percent of the votes in his district to win the seat, beating Democrat Pat Herron by 907 votes.

The new representative said he will pursue legislation that would make it easier to prosecute juveniles as adults and provide quicker and more severe punishment for all criminals. He said he opposes dramatic changes in the health-care system.

Geringer credited his 11 years as administrator of Geary Community Hospital in Kansas with his win. It was his first try for an elected office.