FORMER NORTH COAST HOUSE REP. FRANK RIGGS DIES AT 73
Frank Riggs, who represented the North Coast for three terms in the 1990s, died Dec. 20. He was 73 years old.
Cathy Riggs, Frank's former wife, said he died from complications from surgery involving a heart valve issue.
Riggs, the most recent Republican to represent the district in the U.S. House of Representatives, held the office from 1991-1993 and was defeated by Democrat Dan Hamburg. He beat Hamburg two years later and served from 1995-1999. He briefly ran for U.S. Senate before dropping out, and moved to Virginia and later Arizona.
Those who knew him and worked with him in Humboldt County noted some challenges he faced with activists.
“It was very difficult for a Republican. Earth First! trashed our office one time,” said Verona Sorenson, who was a staffer for Riggs' office for two years and his Northern District director the last four. Sorenson said there were constant demonstrations around the office in Eureka, mostly during the last four years.
Activists occupied Riggs' Eureka office in 1997, locking themselves together on a tree trunk. Sorenson said they covered the office with sawdust and branches. Riggs was embroiled in controversy after Humboldt County Sheriff's Office deputies used Qtips to apply pepper spray to the eyeballs of these activists. While Riggs wasn't there, he spoke in support of the officers over the years, including while speaking with the Phoenix New Times in 2018.
Cathy Riggs said Frank Riggs, a former police officer who also served in the Army military police in Germany, was sensitive that law enforcement and military personnel put their lives on the line.
In 2005, the North Coast Journal reported a federal jury in San Francisco ruled local law enforcement agencies used excessive force and awarded eight activists a symbolic $1 in damages.
Riggs was a politician during the timber wars, a contentious and sometimes violent time in Humboldt County. Rex Bohn, who Riggs gave a citizens award
“He was very honest, straightforward and he was a nice guy. What more can you ask for?” — Humboldt County. Rex Bohn
to in the 1990s for his work with youth sports, said with a laugh it was probably not a great time to be in politics but said he thought Riggs had good balance.
Cathy Riggs said when Frank Riggs ran for his second term, a campaign sign was made with the slogan “Jobs First,” a play on Earth First!
Cathy Riggs said he worked hand in hand with Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the deal that led to the establishment of the Headwaters Forest Reserve. State and federal governments paid $380 million for the 7,400-acre Headwaters forest, plus $100 million for two smaller groves, a deal with Maxxam's then-owner Charles Hurwitz.
Frank Riggs also worked on legislation to get part of the Hoopa reservation back. Sorenson said they discovered that the reservation was supposed to be square but federal agencies had ownership of a part of the land including the Tish-Tang Campground and three U.S. Forest Service roads.
Frank Riggs publicly decried other House members during a banking scandal, one of the House's “Gang of Seven”. The scandal involved House members bouncing thousands of checks worth thousands of dollars in a private bank maintained for members of the House of Representatives, according to reporting from the LA Times.
“Well, Frank was just for honesty,” said Sorenson, noting he dug into other financial systems for congressmen.
Those who worked in politics and were close to him said he was able to cross the aisle, describing him as working for his constituents instead of the party. This included voting against the Persian Gulf War after hearing from a deluge of people in California at town halls and letters.
“He voted how his constituents wanted him to,” said Cathy Riggs.
She said he hired a top Democrat as district director in Santa Rosa because he was the best person for the job, something that Republicans didn't like.
Riggs moved to California in high school from Louisville, Kentucky. He served in a school district and as a police officer in Sonoma County before running for the House. After the last four years in the House, his family moved to Virginia because of the strain of being away from family. He moved to Arizona in 2002 after Cathy Riggs finished law school. He left the 2002 race for Arizona governor after finding he had to live in the state for five years. He later tried again in 2014 but did not receive the Republican nomination. He also ran for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2018 but lost to Kathy Hoffman.
People close to him noted he was passionate about education, relishing the opportunity to be on an education committee after being asked by Newt Gingrich and sponsored the Charter School Expansion Act of 1998.
A number of people noted Frank Riggs was honest and likable and loved his family, including his seven grandchildren.
“He was very honest, straightforward and he was a nice guy. What more can you ask for?” said Bohn.
A service will be held at Phoenix's veterans cemetery on Jan. 4, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.