James Patrick Rigby[2] is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 71st district since 2019.[3]
Jim Rigby | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 71st district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019[1] | |
| Preceded by | Bryan Barbin |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kathleen |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | Official website |
Biography
editRigby graduated from Ferndale Area High School and attended the police academy at the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center.[3] After volunteering as a firefighter, he worked as a police officer and was named chief of police in Ferndale in 2015.[4] He also served on the Ferndale Borough Council for 24 years, including 6 years as the council president.[4]
In 2018, Rigby was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing the 71st district, which includes parts of Cambria County and Somerset County.[3] He defeated incumbent Democratic representative Bryan Barbin in the general election with 52% of the vote.[5] He ran for reelection in 2020, 2022, and 2024 and did not have an opponent in any of the general elections.[6]
He has three children with his wife Kathleen.[4]
Committee Assignments
editRigby currently serves on the Communications & Technology, Judiciary, Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Corrections (Republican Chair), Liquor Control, Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness, and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee on Security and Emergency Response Readiness (Republican Chair)[7]
Sponsored Legislation
editIn the 2025 House Session, Rigby co-sponsored House Bill 79[8] which establishes the Medical Debt Relief Program; establishes requirements for hospital-based financial assistance; and imposes duties on the Department of Health.
PA House Bill 79 (2025 Session)
He also co-sponsored House Bill 277[9] which amended Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in human trafficking, further providing for civil causes of action.
Electoral History
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James Rigby | 1,999 | 49.26 | |
| Republican | Justin Capouellez | 1,418 | 34.94 | |
| Republican | Matthew Sernell | 641 | 15.80 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James Rigby | 11,414 | 52.01 | |||
| Democratic | Bryan Barbin | 10,531 | 47.99 | |||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James Rigby | 26,240 | 100.00 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James Rigby | 20,034 | 100.00 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James Rigby | 25,996 | 100.00 | |
2024 Primary Election
editThe primary election was held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Rigby won 5,199 votes; 99.62% of all votes cast. [15] He won all 52 precincts. 20 votes were cast as write-ins, which was 0.38% of the votes cast. Rigby received 100% of all votes cast in Cresson Township-South, making it one of his best precincts.
2024 General Election
editThe general election was held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Rigby won 25,996 votes; 97.56% of all votes cast. [16] He won all 52 precincts. 651 votes were cast as write-ins, which was 2.44% of the votes cast. Rigby received 99.40% of the votes cast in Reade Township, making it one of his best precincts.
References
edit- ^ "SESSION OF 2019 203D OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. January 1, 2019. p. 2. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ "2022 General Election Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Official Returns CAMBRIA". electionreturns.pa.gov. Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Representative James Rigby". Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c "About Jim". www.repjimrigby.com. Official website. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "Pennsylvania Election Results - 2018 General Election". Pennsylvania Department of State. November 6, 2018.
- ^ "Full election results for Pennsylvania". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 5, 2021.
- ^ https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/House_bio.cfm?id=1836
- ^ https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0079
- ^ https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0277
- ^ https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/home/countyresults?countyName=CAMBRIA&ElectionID=63&ElectionType=P&IsActive=0
- ^ https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/general/countyresults?countyName=CAMBRIA&ElectionID=63&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0
- ^ https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/general/countyresults?countyName=CAMBRIA&ElectionID=83&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0
- ^ https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/general/countyresults?countyName=CAMBRIA&ElectionID=94&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0
- ^ https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/general/countyresults?countyName=CAMBRIA&ElectionID=105&ElectionType=G&IsActive=1
- ^ https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/PA/Cambria/120697/web.317647/#/detail/0025
- ^ https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/PA/Cambria/122831/web.345435/#/detail/0011