Former Kansas Legislator, George Wingert, of Ottawa passed away Monday, April 1st, at the age of 92. He was honored in the Kansas Legislature yesterday for his service. Wingert, a Democrat from Ottawa, served in the Kansas House from 1971 to 1978, but his political career spanned 50 years, five governors and countless stories.
He learned early on the importance of building connections to the Republican Majority and leadership and when to vote your district, even if your party leader objects. Wingert was involved with higher education issues and the changes to the correctional institutions and mental health institutions and many of the other progressive issues of that period.
After leaving the Legislature Governor Carlin, in 1979, appointed him to the Kansas Board of Regents, where he served until 1982. Then he became a lobbyist for dog racing issues for another 15 years.
