Guy Riggs

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Guy Wadsworth Riggs
Riggs, Guy Wadsworth.jpg
Chair
Mid Hudson Libertarian Club
1973—?
Personal Details
Birth: July 1, 1923
Sacramento, California
Death: May 20, 2017(2017-05-20) (aged 93)
Buffalo, New York
Party: Libertarian Party
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Guy Wadsworth Riggs (July 1, 1923—May 20, 2017) was the first Libertarian candidate to run in New York State.

Biography

Riggs was born in Sacramento, California, son of Joseph Quire and Ruth Wadsworth Riggs. He graduated from Patagonia High School in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served in Africa and Italy and was awarded three battle stars. In 1944, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, graduating in 1948. He remained with the Navy as a commissioned officer until 1952. After his service, he began working for IBM.

Riggs became active in politics in the late 1960s, running for office in Binghamton. He moved to Poughkeepsie, where he joined the Libertarian Party. In 1972, he became the first Libertarian candidate to run for office in the state of New York. He ran for State Assembly, but failed to get enough signatures to get on the ballot. His campaign committee went on to form the Mid Hudson Libertarian Club following the end of his campaign in September 1972. He went on to Chair the committee, and by September 1973, he considered running for Governor in 1974. In 1975, it was reported that Riggs announced his intentions of running for President in 1976.[1] He ran, but lost to Roger MacBride.

Riggs also wrote Letters to the Editor for the Poughkeepsie Journal. He also wrote for the New Libertarian. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Poughkeepsie and later joined the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Riggs was married Selma Hubka to February 22, 1958 and they raised seven children. He retired from IMB in 1986. Riggs passed away on May 20, 2017 in Buffalo at the age of 93.[2]

Political Campaigns

1972 New York State Assembly Campaign

In 1972, Riggs ran for New York State Assembly in the 99th District.

1976 Presidential Campaign

Organizational Positions

Libertarian Party of New York
  • At-Large Committee Member (1976—1978)
Mid Hudson Libertarian Club
  • Chair (1973—?)

References