Justin "J.R." Riggins (Republican)

02-01 Man - - (1369)

1872 JIM BRIDGER AVE
CASPER, Wyoming 82604-3119
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Biography

I spent most of my youth in west-central S.D., but I worked summers for Glenn and Alice Fales’s Rimrock Ranch west of Cody in the summer of ‘75. I would return to Rimrock each summer until I enrolled at the University of South Dakota in 1978.
At the end of my first year at USD, I spent the summer working with a pipeline construction company throughout Natrona County. I would later leave USD in 1980 to pursue work in the energy industry and I have no regrets.
Today I work for Tallgrass Energy (formerly Kinder Morgan, formerly KN Energy, etc.) as a Sr.Operations Coordinator.
My wife and I married in Casper 41 years ago. Leslie and I have a son and daughter with families of their own. We lived in our first home
in PV for 30 yrs.
I was fortunate to be appointed to a vacant committeeman position when we moved to Pct.2-1 four years ago. My term expired in 2020. I would like to continue fighting for conservative principles for this neighborhood.

Experience

In 2008 I concluded that voting every election wasn't enough. My interest in public land access issues helped me understand that grassroots involvement is imperative to advancing public policy-making decisions. I introduced myself to Chairman Miles Dahlby as a volunteer. From 2008-2020 I served as a member of the Natrona County Republican Party Executive Committee, Precinct 2-9 and 2-1 Committeeman, Ward Captain, and Natrona County Republican Party State Committeeman.

Education

Graduated from H.S in Kadoka S.D. and attended the University of S.D. ('78-'80).

Community Activities and Memberships

As an advocate for multiple-use on public lands, I continue to support organizations dedicated to public land management. Blue Ribbon Coalition, Trail Preservation Alliance, National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Coalition and Ride With Respect. I have submitted public comments on dozens of federal land management plans, including plans submitted by Casper BLM, Med-Bow NF, Bighorn NF, and Shoshone NF.
I was a member of Wyo. State Trails Council. and Black Hills NF Recreation Sub-Committee.

Why I am Running

I volunteered for the county Republican party because voting isn't enough. In the elections of 2010,'12, and '14 I went door to door, stuffed envelopes, made phone calls, and donated. The result was a complete sweep by Natrona County Republicans. As a member of the NCGOP Executive Committee, we pulled together to host the GOP State Convention at the Parkway Plaza. It was quite the event with Ted Cruz at the event and collecting Wyoming's delegates. The late Brian Scott Gamroth was pivotal in making that convention happen. It wasn't unanimously supported by the county party until after it was a success. We may look back on it years from now as being the pinnacle of achievement in the history of the Natrona County Republican Party. Five months later tragedy struck our community with Brian's accidental death and I was honored to be appointed as Natrona's interim State Committeeman to the Republican Party State Committee. In the next election, I was elected State Committeeman and served for two years. It was an enjoyable experience, but I decided not to seek re-election in 2018. After 10 years I wanted to focus on other issues.

Since then our relationship with the State Party has been destroyed, NCGOP leadership filed a foolish lawsuit against the State that was summarily dismissed by a judge. They now want to spend more than $50k to appeal. They won't reveal to the membership the donors to this foolish endeavor. I want to help stop the insanity-if it can be stopped.

Top 3 Priorities

End the NCGOP's self-destructive feud with the State Party by talking - not suing.

Allow the members of the Natrona County Republican Party Central Committee to speak without fear of retribution.

Focus on public policy - not party maintenance.