| Denver Riggleman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| U.S. Representative from Virginia's 5th Congressional District From: January 3, 2019 – present | |||
| Predecessor | Tom Garrett | ||
| Successor | Incumbent (no successor) | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Republican | ||
| Spouse(s) | Christine Blair Riggleman | ||
| Religion | Non-Denominational Protestant[1] | ||
| Military Service | |||
| Allegiance | United States | ||
| Service/branch | United States Air Force | ||
| Service Years | 1992 – 2007 | ||
| Unit | 366th Fighter Wing 34th Bomb Squadron National Security Agency | ||
Denver Lee Riggleman III (born March 17, 1970 (age 54)) is a businessman and establishment, anti-Trump Republican who currently represents Virginia's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.
U.S. House of Representatives
2018 election
After Republican then-incumbent representative Tom Garrett stated on May 29, 2020 that he wouldn't seek re-election due to alcoholism,[2] Riggleman announced his run for the seat.[3] He won the Republican nomination,[4] and later the general election over Democrat Leslie Cockburn by a margin of 7% of the vote.[5]
Tenure
Riggleman opposed and voted against the sham articles of impeachment brought against President Trump.[6]
2020 election
After Riggleman officiated a same-sex "wedding", he lost renomination at a Republican convention to his more conservative challenger Bob Good.[7] Following his defeat, Riggleman blamed it on potential "fraud".[8] He has been criticized by Good for supporting an increase in immigration levels,[9] having previously been censured by a Virginia county GOP in September 2019 for "abandoning party principles".[10] His loss was compared by some to Eric Cantor's 2014 defeat by David Brat.[11] Riggleman has also been accused by former representative Tom Garrett of threatening him over supporting Good amidst the convention.[12]
After losing in the Republican convention, Riggleman broke with Trump over QAnon,[13] even joining left-wing Democrat representative Tom Malinowski in introducing a resolution to condemn the conspiracy theory.[14] Following documented documented election fraud in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Riggleman claimed that Joe Biden "won", joining RINO Adam Kinzinger in opposing Trump's efforts to combat Dominion corruption.[15] He also ridiculously claimed that Trump appealed to anti-Semites.[16] Unsurprisingly, Riggleman soon lashed out at his incoming successor Bob Good.[17] He voted in early December 2020 for a Democrat-led bill to decriminalize marijuana use at the federal level.[18] After facing a censure by a state county GOP,[19] he doubled down on his record and said that he will no longer be "affiliated with any party at all."[20] Riggleman further attacked pro-Trump conservative Republicans in an interview with CNN, calling incoming representative Marjorie Taylor Greene "queen of bats***".[21]
References
- ↑ Religious affiliation of members of 116th Congress
- ↑ Multiple references:
- ↑ Denver Riggleman enters race to replace Rep. Tom Garrett
- ↑ Distillery owner Denver Riggleman wins GOP nomination to replace Garrett on Virginia congressional ticket
- ↑ Virginia Election Results: Fifth House District
- ↑ Congressman Denver Riggleman Votes Against Impeachment
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Rep. Denver Riggleman ousted in Virginia GOP convention
- GOP congressman loses primary after officiating gay wedding
- Republican Denver Riggleman Finishes Convention with Less Votes than Challenger Bob Good
- GOP Congressman Who Officiated Gay Wedding Loses Primary
- GOP congressman who officiated gay wedding loses primary
- ↑ Rep. Denver Riggleman blames fraud at GOP convention after losing nod for second term
- ↑ VA Conservative Running Against GOP Establishment: Reforming Legal Immigration ‘Number One Priority’
- ↑ Virginia county GOP censures Rep. Riggleman, sparking sharp response
- ↑ The Dave Brat Effect: The Righteous Defeat of Denver Riggleman
- ↑ AUDIO: Former Congressman Claims Rep. Denver Riggleman Threatened Him After Endorsing His Opponent
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Multiple references:
- ↑ DeFusco, Jackie (November 11, 2020). ‘Stop with the ridiculous conspiracy theories’– Virginia Republican criticizes election fraud claims. ABC 8 News. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ↑ Solender, Andrew (November 28, 2020). ‘I’m Sick Of It’: GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman Unloads On Republican Colleagues, Trump. Forbes. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ↑ Brufke, Juliegrace (December 2, 2020). GOP lawmaker blasts incoming freshman over allegations of presidential voter fraud. The Hill. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ↑ Brufke, Juliegrace (December 4, 2020). Five Republicans vote for bill to decriminalize marijuana. The Hill. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ↑ Two references:
- Choi, Joseph (December 15, 2020). Virginia county Republicans condemn GOP congressman for considering vote for Biden. The Hill. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- Garrett, Alexandra (December 15, 2020). VA GOP Committee Censures Rep. Riggleman Over Officiating Same-Sex Wedding, Criticizing Trump. Newsweek. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ↑ Mirshahi, Dean (December 17, 2020). Rep. Denver Riggleman, lawmaker who officiated same-sex wedding, says he’s ‘proud’ of censure from GOP committee. ABC 8 News. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ↑ Takala, Rudy (December 26, 2020). Loser Republican Rep. Riggleman Slams Rep.-Elect Marjorie Taylor Greene: ‘Queen of Batsh*t’. Mediaite. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
External links
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