Frank Riggs
Encyclopedia
Frank D. Riggs is a politician
from the states
of California
and Arizona
.
Riggs was born in Louisville, Kentucky
, and he served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1975. Riggs worked as a police officer and in real estate. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Republican in 1990 from California's 1st District, narrowly defeating four-term Democrat
Doug Bosco. He represented the area stretching from Napa County to the northern Pacific coast.
Riggs voted against the Gulf War resolution and, as a member of the Gang of Seven, a group of newly-minted, idealistic congressmen, favored identifying publicly the congressmen who made overdrafts at the House Bank. Riggs was defeated in 1992 by Democrat Dan Hamburg
but won a rematch in 1994.
In 1996, Riggs won re-election in a campaign that generated controversy after he used the example of Polly Klaas
while attacking his opponent's anti-death penalty stance. During his tenure as congressman, fraud and conspiracy civil-lawsuit charges were filed in Sonoma County Superior Court against a partnership which included Mr. Riggs, regarding a 37 acres (149,733.8 m²) parcel of land referred to as Haystack Landing.
In 1998, State Senator Mike Thompson
, who was due to be termed out of his seat, decided to run for the 1st District House seat. The Democrats had originally hoped to draft Thompson in 1996, but he declined. Believing that he faced almost certain defeat against the popular Thompson, Riggs instead ran for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate. A late entrant, he dropped out of the race before election day but still finished in fifth place (the fourth place Republican) in the state's open primary system. The nomination was won by State Treasurer Matt Fong
. Meanwhile, Thompson won the congressional seat handily and still holds it today.
In 2001, Riggs moved to Arizona. In 2005, he explored a run for governor, as most Arizona Republicans were deciding not to challenge popular Governor Janet Napolitano
for reelection the following year. However, Riggs discovered that he had to be a five-year resident of Arizona in order to run for governor.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from the states
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Riggs was born in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, and he served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1975. Riggs worked as a police officer and in real estate. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Republican in 1990 from California's 1st District, narrowly defeating four-term Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Doug Bosco. He represented the area stretching from Napa County to the northern Pacific coast.
Riggs voted against the Gulf War resolution and, as a member of the Gang of Seven, a group of newly-minted, idealistic congressmen, favored identifying publicly the congressmen who made overdrafts at the House Bank. Riggs was defeated in 1992 by Democrat Dan Hamburg
Daniel Hamburg
Daniel Hamburg is an American politician and a former Democratic Party Congressman and 1998 Green Party Gubernatorial candidate from California. He remains active in both the Democratic Party and Green Party.-Early life:...
but won a rematch in 1994.
In 1996, Riggs won re-election in a campaign that generated controversy after he used the example of Polly Klaas
Polly Klaas
Polly Hannah Klaas was an American murder victim whose case gained national attention. At the age of twelve, she was kidnapped at knife point from her mother's home during a slumber party in Petaluma, California, on October 1, 1993. She was later strangled...
while attacking his opponent's anti-death penalty stance. During his tenure as congressman, fraud and conspiracy civil-lawsuit charges were filed in Sonoma County Superior Court against a partnership which included Mr. Riggs, regarding a 37 acres (149,733.8 m²) parcel of land referred to as Haystack Landing.
In 1998, State Senator Mike Thompson
Mike Thompson
Michael C. Thompson , is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes Napa, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties as well as parts of Yolo and Sonoma Counties....
, who was due to be termed out of his seat, decided to run for the 1st District House seat. The Democrats had originally hoped to draft Thompson in 1996, but he declined. Believing that he faced almost certain defeat against the popular Thompson, Riggs instead ran for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate. A late entrant, he dropped out of the race before election day but still finished in fifth place (the fourth place Republican) in the state's open primary system. The nomination was won by State Treasurer Matt Fong
Matt Fong
Matthew Kipling Fong was a Republican who served as the 30th California State Treasurer and was also the adopted son of Democrat March Fong Eu, the 25th California Secretary of State....
. Meanwhile, Thompson won the congressional seat handily and still holds it today.
In 2001, Riggs moved to Arizona. In 2005, he explored a run for governor, as most Arizona Republicans were deciding not to challenge popular Governor Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano is the third and current United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She is the fourth person to hold the position, which was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the 21st...
for reelection the following year. However, Riggs discovered that he had to be a five-year resident of Arizona in order to run for governor.