Republicans reprimand Rep. Denver Riggleman because he officiated a gay wedding

The Cumberland County Republican Committee passed a motion of no confidence in Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-Va) on Monday night over his officiation of a same-sex wedding, the Roanoke Times reports. 

The Committee was chaired by Diana Shores, who tried – and failed – last week to have Riggleman censured by the 5th Congressional District Republican Committee for the same reason.

“I make this motion of no confidence in Congressman Denver Riggleman for his recent act in officiating a homosexual marriage and his lack of support for stronger border security and immigration policies,” the motion read.

Shores told the Roanoke Times that the motion passed unanimously, but wouldn’t tell them how many people actually voted for it. 

Riggleman, who was elected to Congress last year and represents a mostly rural, conservative district, officiated a marriage between two conservative Republicans who had volunteered for his campaign. 

The Washington Post, which first reported on Riggleman’s involvement in the wedding, also asked him about his stance on gay marriage. 

“My real belief is that government shouldn’t be involved in marriage at all, but if it is, everybody has to be treated equally before the law,” Riggleman said. “And that is part of our Republican creed. And it also comes down to love is love. I’m happy to join two people together who obviously love each other.”

The backlash over Riggleman’s decision to officiate a gay wedding highlights the split over the issue in the Republican party. Only 44% of Republicans and Republican leaners support same-sex marriage, according to a March 2019 Pew Research Center survey. 

While local Republicans have reprimanded Riggleman, he has yet to receive a primary challenger for his re-election campaign next year.

Photo © Gage Skidmore