James Patrick Rigby is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 71st district since 2019.
Rigby graduated from Ferndale Area High School and attended the police academy at the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center. After volunteering as a firefighter, he worked as a police officer and was named chief of police in Ferndale in 2015. He also served on the Ferndale Borough Council for 24 years, including 6 years as the council president.
In 2018, Rigby was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing the 71st district, which includes parts of Cambria County and Somerset County. He defeated incumbent Democratic representative Bryan Barbin in the general election with 52% of the vote. He ran for reelection in 2020, 2022, and 2024 and did not have an opponent in any of the general elections.
He has three children with his wife Kathleen.
The primary election was held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Rigby won 5,199 votes; 99.62% of all votes cast. 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.
The general election was held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Rigby won 25,996 votes; 97.56% of all votes cast. 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.