Scott Rigell

Rigell was raised in Titusville, Florida.{{cite news |title=112th Congress: Scott Rigell, R-Va. (2nd District) |first=Rachel |last=Blade |newspaper=Congressional Quarterly |date=November 3, 2010 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20101103/pl_cq_politics/politics000003758173 |access-date=November 7, 2010}} He served for six years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1978 to 1984, attaining the rank of Sergeant. His father served in the Marines in World War II, landing on Iwo Jima, and his son is a Marine. He holds an A.A. from Brevard Community College, a BBA from Mercer University, and a M.B.A. from Regent University.{{Cite web|url=http://rigell.house.gov/about-me/full-biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116052555/http://rigell.house.gov/about-me/full-biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2011|title=Full Biography {{!}} Congressman Scott Rigell|date=January 16, 2011|access-date=December 18, 2018}}

Prior to his election to Congress, Rigell and his former wife Teri established, and continue to own, two new car dealerships under the name Freedom Automotive, one in Norfolk and the other in Chesapeake/Virginia Beach.

{{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 2}}

Rigell won the Republican nomination in a six-way race, defeating Bert Mizusawa. The Hill rated his primary race as one of the top seven Congressional primaries for that election cycle.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/54965-top-seven-primaries-in-congress/|title=Top seven primaries in Congress|date=November 18, 2009|work=The Hill |access-date=February 4, 2013|first=Aaron |last=Blake}} Rigell was considered by many to be the favorite in the primary,{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1209/McDonnell_picking_GOP_favorite_against_Nye.html|title=McDonnell picking GOP favorite against Nye|date=December 4, 2009|work=Politico|access-date=February 4, 2013}} because he had support from the National Republican Congressional Committee{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/05/nrcc_training_program_promotes.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927060553/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/05/nrcc_training_program_promotes.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2012|title=National Republican training program promotes two Va. candidates|date=May 6, 2010|newspaper=The Washington Post}} and Eric Cantor{{cite web|url=http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/04/virginia-cantor-backs-rigell-a.html|title=Virginia: Cantor Backs Rigell|date=April 19, 2010|last=Giroux|first=Greg|publisher=CQ Politics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424022909/http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/04/virginia-cantor-backs-rigell-a.html|archive-date=April 24, 2010}} – at least after the primary,{{cite news|access-date=February 4, 2013|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2019138_2019132_2020835,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926172324/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2019138_2019132_2020835,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2010|newspaper=TIME|title=Virginia's 2nd Congressional District: Glenn Nye vs. Scott Rigell|first=Jay|last=Newton-Small|date=September 22, 2010}} and was endorsed by Republican Virginia governor Bob McDonnell.{{cite web|url=http://hamptonroads.com/2010/05/mcdonnell-endorse-rigell-gop-congressional-primary?cid=ltst|title=McDonnell to endorse Rigell in GOP congressional primary|date=May 12, 2010|publisher=Virginian Pilot|last=Walker|first=Julian}}

Rigell came under attack from his primary opponents for the dealerships he owns having sold 138 cars under the Cash for Clunkers program, which Rigell subsequently criticized as "reckless bailouts and an out-of-control federal debt." Rigell noted that buyers, not dealers, received program subsidies for trading up to a more fuel-efficient vehicle. A spokesman said that Rigell felt "an obligation to the people who work for him, and his customers."{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-05-11-clunkers_N.htm|title=Dealers-turned-candidates run into trouble |work=USA Today|last=Fritze|first=John|date=May 12, 2010}} He also came under attack for making campaign contributions to Barack Obama during the 2008 Democratic primaries and to Virginia Democrat Louise Lucas in her bid against Randy Forbes. Rigell said he believed that Hillary Clinton would have been a worse option for president.{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/05/rigell_survey_says_hes_the_cle.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927205012/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/05/rigell_survey_says_hes_the_cle.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2012|title=Rigell's survey says he's the clear frontrunner in GOP race to face Rep. Nye|date=May 25, 2010|newspaper=The Washington Post|last=Pershing|first=Ben}}

Rigell states that his top priority is reducing government spending and that he supports replacing the health care law with market-based reforms.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypress.com/2010/06/06/bio-ben-loyola/|date=June 6, 2010|publisher=Daily Press|title=BIO: Scott Rigell|last=Payne|first=Kimball}} As of June 4, 2010, Rigell had contributed $775,000 of his personal wealth to his campaign.Gioroux, Greg. [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000003677399&topic=Feature Wealthy House Candidate Digs Deeper Ahead Of Tuesday’s Primary.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606074354/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003677399 |date=June 6, 2010 }} Congressional Quarterly. June 4, 2010. Rigell defeated Democratic incumbent Glenn Nye for {{ushr|VA|2}}.

{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 2}}

Rigell was challenged by businessman and Democratic nominee Paul Hirschbiel.

{{See also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 2}}

Rigell was challenged by Democrat Suzanne Patrick in the general election.

Rigell said he will focus on economic issues over social issues in the 2014 election. He stated, "I wake up every day not thinking about the social issues. I sought office because I know we can do better on job creation and I'm also concerned about our fiscal trajectory." He added, "I think as part of that we're strengthening things that are important to women and, of course, to men as well. Early childhood education, making sure that our children are safe and they have great opportunities once they get out of high school or college."{{cite news|last1=Bresnahan|first1=John|title=GOP men tutored in running against women|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/gop-men-tutored-in-running-against-women-100701.html?hp=f1|access-date=July 12, 2014|publisher=Politico|date= December 5, 2013}}

Rigell announced in January 2016 that he would not run for re-election in 2016.

Rigell took office in January 2011 as part of the largest Republican House majority since the 1940s.

In June 2012, Rigell was one of only two Republicans (along with Steven LaTourette of Ohio) who voted against a motion to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for his handling of the ATF gunwalking scandal.{{cite news | url=http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/house/2/441 | work=The New York Times | title=Congressional Bills and Votes | access-date=June 29, 2012 | archive-date=June 29, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629204051/http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/house/2/441 | url-status=dead }} Billionaire Warren Buffett challenged the GOP that he would match any donations to the Treasury they give. Rigell had already been giving back 15% of his salary, and when he flagged this for Buffett, Buffett agreed to match it.{{cite news| url=http://video.foxnews.com/v/1389537254001/lawmaker-calls-buffetts-bluff | work=Fox News | title=Lawmaker calls Buffett's bluff | date=April 5, 2012}}

Rigell states he is "proudly pro-life",{{cite web|title=Where I Stand: Family Values|url=http://www.scottrigell.com/scott-rigell-for-family-values/|work=Scott Rigell for Congress|access-date=November 22, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522144146/http://www.scottrigell.com/scott-rigell-for-family-values/|archive-date=May 22, 2010}} he opposes gay marriage and opposed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."{{cite web|title=Scott Rigell Firmly Disagrees with Glenn Nye's Vote to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell|url=http://www.scottrigell.com/press-releases/page/2/|work=Scott Rigell for Congress|access-date=November 22, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522013841/http://www.scottrigell.com/press-releases/page/2/|archive-date=May 22, 2012}} In 2011, Rigell cosponsored bills to prohibit abortion coverage under the national Affordable Health Care law, prohibit the use of federal funds for Planned Parenthood and prohibit taxpayer funding of abortion. Rigell voted for reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.{{cite web |title=Scott Rigell On The Issues |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/VA/Scott_Rigell.htm |work=On The Issues |access-date=November 19, 2013}} Rigell has refused to endorse Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor E.W. Jackson in light of anti-gay comments made by Jackson.{{cite news|last1=Schlanger|first1=Danielle|title=Rep. Scott Rigell Refuses To Endorse E.W. Jackson, Citing Bishop's Views On Gays|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/05/scott-rigell-ew-jackson_n_3391496.html|access-date=July 12, 2014|publisher=HuffPost|date=June 5, 2013}}

Rigell's district includes the largest concentration of active duty and retired service members in the United States. He supported the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act, which the House and Senate passed. This bill increased the rate of compensation for veterans who were disabled in active duty.{{cite web|title=S. 894|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-894|work=GovTrack.us|publisher=Civic Impulse, LLC|access-date=November 22, 2011}} Rigell supports the continued military effort in Afghanistan; he opposed a vote in 2011 to remove troops from the country. However, he also opposed deploying ground troops to Libya, and has joined a bipartisan coalition urging President Obama and Congress to resist "calls for a 'quick' and 'easy' military intervention in Iraq.".{{cite web|title=H Res 292|url=http://www.vote-smart.org/bill/13491/35357/121807/ground-forces-in-libya|work=National Key Votes|publisher=VoteSmart.org|access-date=November 22, 2011}}{{cite news|last1=Nichols|first1=John|title=Left-Right Coalition of 80 House Members Wants Congress to Check and Balance Iraq Intervention|url=http://www.thenation.com/blog/180524/honoring-american-experiment-bipartisan-call-restraint-iraq#|access-date=July 12, 2014|publisher=The Nation|date=July 3, 2014}}

In 2011, Rigell called the President's use of force in Libya 'unconstitutional,' stating that the military action violated the War Powers Resolution of 1973 since Congress was not consulted. Rigell simultaneously introduced an amendment to the Department of Defense FY'12 Appropriations bill to defund U.S. military operations in Libya, but the amendment failed in the House.

In 2013, following an alleged chemical attack by the Assad Regime in Syria, Rigell wrote a letter to the President urging him to consult Congress, as prescribed by the War Powers Resolution, before authorizing the use of any military force overseas. He was joined by 139 Members of the House of Representatives, 21 of whom were Democrats.{{cite web|url=http://rigell.house.gov/uploadedfiles/8.28.13_letter_to_potus_with_signatories.pdf |title=Letter From Congress to the President |website=Rigell.house.gov |access-date=December 4, 2016}}

Rigell also supported a bipartisan congressional resolution advocating for the United Nations (UN) to create a Syrian War Crimes Tribunal.{{cite news|title=Weapons plan taking shape in Syria|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2013/09/12/weapons-plan-taking-shape.html|access-date=September 27, 2017|work=The Columbus Dispatch|date=September 12, 2013|language=en|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005352/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2013/09/12/weapons-plan-taking-shape.html|url-status=dead}} The bipartisan resolution, introduced by Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey, called for an immediate ceasefire in Syria and directed the President to work with the UN to set up a tribunal to investigate war crimes committed by both the Syrian government and rebel groups in the country.

Rigell supported Paul Ryan's budget plan, Path to Prosperity, which called for repeal of the 2010 Healthcare legislation. He vocally criticized Senate inaction on the House's budget plans in 2011, stating "Empirically we can show that the bottleneck is in the Senate – I hope every American stands up and says to Senator Reid: get these bills passed, we'll go to conference, let's work it out, we'll work weekends and get this thing moving again."{{cite web|last=Hooper|first=Molly|title=House GOP Freshman Slams Reid, Senate for Inaction on Budget|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/174566-house-gop-freshmen-slam-reid-senate-for-inaction-on-budget/|work=The Hill |access-date=February 4, 2013 |date=October 4, 2011 }} Ultimately, he voted in favor of S 627, the 2011 budget proposal which raised the debt ceiling and required a supercommittee to provide more concrete spending cuts.

During the 2016 Republican presidential primary process, Rigell strongly opposed the candidacy of Donald Trump, writing in March 2016 that he was a "con man" and a "bully" whose potential presidency would be "reckless, embarrassing and ultimately dangerous",{{cite web |url=http://pilotonline.com/news/government/politics/virginia/candidates-who-want-to-replace-rep-scott-rigell-don-t/article_9e8c9060-b594-5161-b0af-14b15f71c7c7.html |title=Candidates who want to replace Rep. Scott Rigell don't share his disdain for a Trump presidency | Virginia Politics |website=Pilotonline.com |date=May 6, 2016 |access-date=December 4, 2016 |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514114235/http://pilotonline.com/news/government/politics/virginia/candidates-who-want-to-replace-rep-scott-rigell-don-t/article_9e8c9060-b594-5161-b0af-14b15f71c7c7.html |url-status=dead }} and that he would not support Trump if he became the nominee.[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/1/scott-rigell-says-he-cant-support-donald-trump-if-/ Rep. Scott Rigell says he can’t support Donald Trump if he is the GOP nominee] Washington Times Rigell reiterated his concerns in August 2016, saying Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were "equally unworthy" of the presidency, and endorsed Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson.[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/9/scott-rigell-supports-gary-johnson-says-donald-tru/ Prominent Virginia Republican congressman supports Gary Johnson, says Trump represents ‘true risk’] Washington Times

The week after he endorsed Johnson, Rigell resigned from the Virginia Beach Republican Party.{{cite news|last=Portnoy|first=Jenna|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/rep-scott-rigell-leaves-virginia-beach-gop-after-backing-libertarian-for-president/2016/08/08/55908490-5da6-11e6-9d2f-b1a3564181a1_story.html|title=Rep. Scott Rigell leaves Virginia Beach GOP after backing Libertarian for president |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 4, 2016}} In a statement about his resignation, Rigell's spokesman said, "Because Scott refuses to support his party's current nominee for President, the local committee was expected to revoke Congressman Rigell's membership. Knowing that, Congressman Rigell resigned from the Virginia Beach Republican Party. While he is no longer a member of his local party unit, he remains a member of the Republican Party."

Rigell signed an August 2016 letter to the Republican National Committee from over 100 Republicans urging the RNC to suspend its support for Trump's campaign and to spend its resources on congressional Republicans.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/291587-gop-lawmakers-urge-rnc-to-cut-ties-with-trump/|title=GOP lawmakers urge RNC to cut ties with Trump|work=The Hill|date=October 24, 2013|access-date=December 4, 2016}}

• Committee on Appropriations
• Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
• Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
• Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch

• Congressional Constitution Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/membership|publisher=Congressional Constitution Caucus|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614044928/https://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/membership|url-status=dead}}

He married Deborah Horan in September 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/live/uGlnFNwSH1g?si=ecJnHkOx3YlRorgq | title=The Celebration and Blessing of Marriage: Scott Rigell & Debbie Horan | website=YouTube }}{{cite web | url=https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_6s3Enkpm8Zm_C0FwER12VAwmkK9RzqY?usp=sharing | title=Scott Riggell - Google Drive }}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2010 Republican Primary, 2nd Congressional District{{cite web |url=https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2012/68C30477-AAF2-46DD-994E-5D3BE8A89C9B/Official/6_s.shtml |title=Election Results |website=www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov |access-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512101648/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2012/68C30477-AAF2-46DD-994E-5D3BE8A89C9B/Official/6_s.shtml |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Republican Party

|candidate = Scott Rigell

|votes = 14,396

|percentage = 39.50%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Republican Party

|candidate = Ben Loyola, Jr.

|votes = 9,762

|percentage = 26.78%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Republican Party

|candidate = Bert Mizusawa

|votes = 6,342

|percentage = 17.40%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Republican Party

|candidate = Scott W. Taylor

|votes = 2,950

|percentage = 8.09%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Republican Party

|candidate = Jessica Sandlin

|votes = 1,620

|percentage = 4.44%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Republican Party

|candidate = Ed Maulbeck

|votes = 1,372

|percentage = 3.76%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 309,222

|percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2010 General election, 2nd Congressional District{{cite web |url=https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2010/EB24720D-F5C6-4880-8DC5-12AE4D0C3772/official/6_s.shtml |title=November 2, 2010 General and Special Elections Official Results |website=www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov |access-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721074243/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2010/EB24720D-F5C6-4880-8DC5-12AE4D0C3772/official/6_s.shtml |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Republican Party

|candidate = Scott Rigell

|votes = 88,340

|percentage = 53.12%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Democratic Party

|candidate = Glenn Nye

|votes = 70,591

|percentage = 42.45%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Kenny Golden

|votes = 7,194

|percentage = 4.32%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Write-in candidates

|votes = 164

|percentage = 0.09%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 166,289

|percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2012 General election, 2nd Congressional District{{cite web |url=https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2012/68C30477-AAF2-46DD-994E-5D3BE8A89C9B/Official/6_s.shtml |title=Election Results |website=www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov |access-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512101648/https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2012/68C30477-AAF2-46DD-994E-5D3BE8A89C9B/Official/6_s.shtml |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Republican Party

|candidate = Scott Rigell

|votes = 166,231

|percentage = 53.75%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Democratic Party

|candidate = Paul Hirschbiel

|votes = 142,548

|percentage = 46.09%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Write-in candidates

|votes = 443

|percentage = 0.14%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 309,222

|percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2014 General election, 2nd Congressional District{{cite web|url=http://elections.virginia.gov/Files/ElectionResults/2014-election-results/2014-nov-general/11042014_final.html |title=November 4 2014 General Elections |website=Elections.virginia.gov |date=November 4, 2014 |access-date=December 4, 2016}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Republican Party

|candidate = Scott Rigell

|votes = 101,558

|percentage = 58.68%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Virginia Democratic Party

|candidate = Suzanne Patrick

|votes = 71,178

|percentage = 41.12%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Write-in candidates

|votes = 324

|percentage = 0.18%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 173,060

|percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

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Category:1960 births

Category:American automobile salespeople

Category:Businesspeople from Virginia

Category:Eastern Florida State College people

Category:Living people

Category:Mercer University alumni

Category:People from Titusville, Florida

Category:Politicians from Virginia Beach, Virginia

Category:Regent University alumni

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia

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Category:21st-century Virginia politicians

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives