Jerry H. Geisler

Jerry Hubert Geisler (July 6, 1934 – May 6, 2012) was an American lawyer and Republican politician. He was first elected in 1965 to represent Carroll, Grayson, Galax City in the Virginia House of Delegates, defeating Hillsville mayor Raleigh Cooley. In 1967, Geisler switched parties to the Republican Party, a move made by many in the southern United States due to the national Democratic Party's new focus on civil rights. In 1974, he was selected by the members of his caucus to be minority leader, a position in which he served until he was defeated for election in the reorganized 5th district in 1981.^[1][2]

Key Information

Jerry Geisler
Official portrait, 1978
Minority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office September 11, 1974 – January 13, 1982
Preceded by	Pete Giesen
Succeeded by	Vince Callahan
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office January 12, 1966 – January 13, 1982 Serving with John N. Dalton (1972–1973) Ward Teel (1973–1982)
Preceded by	Virgil J. Cox
Succeeded by	Joan H. Munford
Constituency	32nd district (1972–1982) 6th district (1972–1982)
Personal details
Born	Jerry Hubert Geisler (1934-07-06)July 6, 1934 Big Stone Gap, Virginia, U.S.
Died	May 6, 2012(2012-05-06) (aged 77) Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
Party	Democratic (until 1967) Republican (1967–2012)
Spouse	Betty Coyle
Education	Emory & Henry College (BA) University of Richmond (LLB)
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