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J.R. Riggins

Republican | Wyoming

J.R. Riggins websites Facebook

Candidate Profile

Leans Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

University of South Dakota, Vermillion, None, 1978-1980

WORK & MILITARY

Tallgrass Energy, Sr. Operations Coordinator, 1991-2025

AFFILIATIONS

Natrona County Republican Party, Precinct Committeeman, State Committeeman, Executive Committee, 2008-2020

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, State Partner, 2004-2020

American Motorcycle Association, Member, 2008-2026

Motorized Recreation Council of Wyoming, President/Vice-President, 2004-2011

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

State Representative for House District 59, 2024-2026

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

State Representative for House District 59, 2026-

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (2)

National Rifle Association NRA-PVF

Wyoming Right to Life

OTHER (2)

Americans for Prosperity AFP Action Wyoming

Wyoming Coalition for a Healthy Retirement

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)

Federated Fire Fighters of Wyoming

Americans for Prosperity

Wyoming Right to Life

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)

Harriet M Hageman (2022)

State Republican Party Organizations (2018)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

OTHER INFORMATION

WY Family Alliance Action Voter Guide survey.

J.R. Riggins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. 

WY Campaign Finance documents.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Massachusetts just became the eleventh state to allow abortion up to birth. Until this barbarous practice is abandoned in this country, I will continue to defend life with a heartbeat.

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Agree

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Neutral

I'm not well informed on this specific practice.

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Agree

I think prescriptions that induce the equivalent of a miscarriage should be prescribed by an attending medical professional. I support confirmation of pregnancy by ultrasound prior to prescribing.


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

The best available data indicates that 1% or fewer employees actually earn less than the $7.25 federal minimum wage. This disparity doesn't suggest any urgency for Wyoming to match the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

Is there another country in the world that places such a high regard for private property rights and private enterprise? No. It is the reason the US economy maintains such influence worldwide.

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

a. Robust audit controls to ensure that appropriated money is spent as the legislature intended. b. The legislature should employ timely reauthorization protocols for all spending programs. c. When a recipient of taxpayer dollars has wide latitude in spending those dollars, we ought to have enhanced oversight and heightened expectations. d. Regardless of the appropriation, ask this. Why are we spending? What did the taxpayer receive? Is the program delivering?


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

I'll paraphrase the First Amendment: The government cannot establish or legally favor a state religion.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Disagree

No one is obligated to celebrate or participate in an activity that conflicts with their moral conscience.


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

Of the options provided, I would most closely align with C. The issue is far more complex than the options suggest because of the passage of the ACA. The fact that premiums often compete with mortgage payments is unsustainable.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Neutral

This question raises a more important one: how much personal information is needed to assess the correlation between medical conditions and their treatment costs? The personal information should be protected.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes, not only do we have shared values, but Israel is a bulwark against Islamic doctrine, which is openly hostile to both nations.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Agree

There is no evidence that this department has markedly improved educational institutions or student results.

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Neutral

Should we object to foreign governments that share our views of Western civilization and desire to advance our founding principles beyond our borders? With recent political outcomes in New York, do we refuse political science partnerships to combat the growing influence of Marxist ideology here at home? I think we need all the help we can get.


VALUES

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Agree

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Agree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Strongly Agree

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

The Commandments were from God, and He does judge; He has a son who was crucified, died, and was resurrected. If one element of this is not true, then none of it is. I believe it is true.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Disagree


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Disagree

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

The most reliable would be hydropower, with coal and natural gas in a better position for future growth.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Conservative

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

To provide a consequential system that inhibits criminal behaviors, provides deserved punishments, including the death penalty, and allows for sincere repentance and rehabilitation.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Agree

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Secure your unattended weapons and know how to maintain and use them.

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