Virginia Republican committee censures GOP rep; he claims it's payback for officiating same-sex wedding

close

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for Sept. 16

Fox News Flash top headlines for Sept. 16 are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com

U.S. Rep. Denver Riggleman, R-Va., was censured by the Rappahannock County Republican Committee last week over his voting record, his third reprimand by a local GOP group in recent weeks.

The committee cited Riggleman's votes for sending military support to Saudi Arabia and ignoring protests against granting more visas for foreign workers for its effort against the freshman lawmaker.

A committee member told the Rappahannock News the vote was "not even close."

MARYLAND STATE LAWMAKERS VOTE UNANIMOUSLY TO CENSURE HOUSE DEMOCRAT OVER RACIAL SLUR

A statement announcing the censure said Riggleman, who represents Virginia's 5th Congressional District, has voted “for continuing resolutions for out-of-control spending that increase inflation and jeopardizes the economic stability and well-being of the citizens of Rappahannock County and of the ... district."

Riggleman's office on Monday defended his conservative record in an interview with The Hill, while saying the censure was a form of punishment for officiating a same-sex wedding on July 14.

“This censure in Rappahannock is part of an ongoing effort to punish Denver Riggleman for his recent officiation of a same sex wedding. Denver Riggleman has an excellent conservative voting record that has brought jobs back to the 5th District,” Riggleman spokesman Joe Chelak told The Hill in a statement.

The couple are two conservative Republicans who volunteered for Riggleman's campaign last year, the website said.

The GOP committee is the third local GOP group to admonish Riggleman. The Bedford County Republican Committee voted to censure Riggleman earlier this month and the Cumberland County Republican Committee passed a vote of no confidence in July.

A group from the 5th District Republican Committee unsuccessfully tried censuring Riggleman in July.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

His office did not immediately return a Fox News request for comment.

The most recent censure effort has fueled speculation that local GOP groups are looking to run a more conservative challenger against Riggleman. He garnered national headlines in 2018 when his Democratic opponent accused him of circulating "Bigfoot erotica" and supporting white supremacists.