Casper lawmaker Riggins out indefinitely due to bypass surgery

FROM WYOFILE:

The freshman Freedom Caucus member expects a full recovery, but will take a prolonged absence from the Legislature now in session.

A Wyoming House member will miss an indefinite amount of the legislative session due to a major medical procedure.

Republican J.R. Riggins, 65, of Casper is scheduled to have open-heart bypass surgery on Monday at Banner Wyoming Medical Center. Following a procedure last week for potential angioplasty, doctors informed Riggins they recommended bypass surgery as soon as possible.

The freshman lawmaker feels fine “90% of the time,” he told WyoFile on Sunday. “There’s no dizziness, no shortness of breath.

“The heart muscle is in very good shape,” he added, “so it’s not like I had a heart attack or anything.”

Riggins, who works for oil and gas company Tallgrass Energy, could not participate in person in Cheyenne last week due to the initial procedure, but mustered attending some committee hearings via livestream. There will be a long recovery time from bypass surgery, he noted, so he wanted to inform the public about what was going on in hopes to head off any potential “rumors.”

“I’m expecting it to be successful, but I certainly won’t be running down to Cheyenne anytime soon,” Riggins said.

Riggins serves on the Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, as well as the Revenue Committee in the House. Riggins, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, ran uncontested in the 2024 primary to represent House 59.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.

This story was posted on January 26, 2025.