2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Jim Rigby

Twitter

Facebook

Buket Urgen

As a lifelong Johnstown resident, Jim Rigby spent more than four decades serving the community. He began by volunteering as a fireman and then served as a police officer before being named Ferndale Borough’s chief of police in 2015.

About Jim Rigby

Previously, he served as the board president for the Women’s Help Center, which assists area victims of domestic violence and their children. He also served on the Cambria County Sexual Assault Response Team.

Jim lives in Johnstown with his wife, Kathleen; Charlie the cat; and dogs Malachai, Marshall and Myla.

Jim Rigby is a lifelong resident of Johnstown. He previously served as board president of the Women’s Help Center and on the Cambria County Sexual Assault Response Team. He lives in Johnstown with his wife, Kathleen.

A former small business owner, Jim also served on Ferndale Borough Council for 24 years (six as president) and spent 29 years working for the American Red Cross.

RIGBY, James Patrick, a Representative from Cambria and Somerset Counties; born, February 4, 1960 in Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.; police officer, Ferndale (1983-2015); chief of police, Ferndale Borough (2015-2018); elected, council, Ferndale (1995-2018); unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2008, 2010, 2014); elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Republican in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024; appointed, Deputy Whip (2021-2022, 2025-present).

PA House Archives Official Website - Jim Rigby

Jim Rigby most recently served as chief of police for Ferndale Borough. He previously worked as a police officer, spent 29 years working for the American Red Cross, and owned a small business.

State Rep. Jim Rigby is serving his fourth term in office to residents of the 71st Legislative District, which consists of the following municipalities: in Cambria County, the townships of Adams, Allegheny, Chest, Clearfield, Cresson, Dean, Gallitzin, Munster, Portage, Reade, Richland, Stonycreek, Summerhill, Washington and White; and the boroughs of Ashville, Cassandra, Chest Springs, Cresson, Ferndale, Gallitzin, Geistown, Lilly, Loretto, Portage, Sankertown, Scalp Level, South Fork, Tunnelhill and Wilmore; and in Somerset County, the townships of Ogle and Paint and the boroughs of Paint and Windber.

Jim currently serves as state representative for Pennsylvania's 71st Legislative District. He was first elected in 2018 and is serving his fourth term. He previously served on Ferndale Borough Council from 1995 to 2018 and ran unsuccessfully for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2008, 2010 and 2014.

As of October 16, 2026, Jim Rigby’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

He intends to use his unique perspective in Harrisburg as a continuation of his decades of community service for the benefit of 71st District residents. In his varied experiences, Jim has already created jobs, balanced budgets and made difficult decisions. He also plans to focus on addressing the Commonwealth’s opioid epidemic and the issue of blighted homes.

“There was very little controversy more than 50 years ago when Congress passed Title IX, which ensured equality for female athletes,” said Rigby. “It was the right thing to do then and protecting opportunities for girls and women in sports is the right thing to do now. That is an opinion shared by a majority of Pennsylvanians and the ‘Defending Our Daughters’ campaign provides them with an opportunity to further demonstrate their support for a level playing field.” The campaign's promise highlights girls' rights to a safe, fair and equal playing field and to private locker-room spaces “without males being present.”

Rigby Encourages Making the Promise to Defend Our Daughters

Plans to focus on addressing Pennsylvania's opioid epidemic.

Advocates for protecting opportunities for girls and women in sports.

- Plans to focus on addressing Pennsylvania's opioid epidemic.
- Advocates for protecting opportunities for girls and women in sports.

Healthcare

HARRISBURG – When it comes to support for Pennsylvania school students, state Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Cambria/Somerset) agrees with the 2026-27 state budget. “The compromise that the House and Senate agreed to would adequately fund our public schools and keep intact both the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, which support school choice,” said Rigby, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Rigby Approves of Education Funding in State Budget

“The compromise that the House and Senate agreed to would adequately fund our public schools and keep intact both the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, which support school choice,” said Rigby, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “It’s a win for Pennsylvania students and their families and gives them the flexibility they deserve in choosing which course of learning is best for them.”

Supports a state budget that funds public schools and retains school-choice tax-credit programs.

- Supports a state budget that funds public schools and retains school-choice tax-credit programs.

Education

Supports funding to upgrade a water-treatment system serving six municipalities, including a solar-energy system.

“The system serves six municipalities and is in desperate need of being upgraded to meet increased demand,” Rigby said. “I’m happy to support this funding and applaud the authority’s board for taking the initiative to apply for assistance with bringing its infrastructure up to date.” The project includes the construction of a 3.83-megawatt-hour solar energy system to account for the current peak monthly usage, plus the projected energy usage for the treatment plant’s Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion project, which is currently under construction.

Stefano, Rigby Announce $9.9 Million in PENNVEST Funding for Windber Area Cost-Saving Energy Project

Energy & the Environment

“Three shootings in the last four days in the City of Johnstown are both alarming and deeply concerning. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all residents who are feeling the impact of this violence. Those responsible must be identified and held fully accountable. At the same time, preventing further violence and avoiding retaliation must be an immediate priority.”

Rigby Comments on Rash of Shootings in Johnstown

“I have confidence in local law enforcement and the elected officials who protect and represent the city, and I stand ready to assist at the state level in any way that may be helpful - whether through resources, coordination, or support. This is a time for unity, vigilance and action. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain committed to supporting efforts that restore safety and stability to the community.”

Emergency responders in the 71st Legislative District are being awarded more than $353,000 in grants according to state Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Cambria/Somerset). “As our emergency responders across the Commonwealth struggle to remain viable as costs rise and the number of volunteers dwindles, this funding is critical. Each dollar dedicated to fire and ambulance companies makes a real difference to the safety of our communities in the 71st District,” Rigby said.

Rigby Announces More Than $354,000 in Grants for Cambria, Somerset County Emergency Responders

Calls for holding those responsible for shootings accountable, prioritizing violence prevention, and avoiding retaliation.

Pledges to assist local public-safety efforts through state resources, coordination, or support.

Supports funding for fire and ambulance companies.

- Calls for holding those responsible for shootings accountable, prioritizing violence prevention, and avoiding retaliation.
- Pledges to assist local public-safety efforts through state resources, coordination, or support.
- Supports funding for fire and ambulance companies.

Public Safety

Voting & Elections

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws, including introducing tax bills. 
- State representatives and their staff respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- State representatives oversee the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.  
- They are elected to two-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives