Frank Riggs obit

Frank Riggs, former CA congressman, AZ superintendent hopeful who touted charter schools, dies

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Frank Riggs, a former California congressman and candidate for Arizona governor and superintendent of public instruction, has died. He was 73.

Riggs served in the U.S. House of Representatives for six years before he moved to Arizona with his family. An early supporter of the charter school industry, Riggs played a key role in the system’s growth by sponsoring the Charter School Expansion Act of 1998, which sent federal grant money to assist charter schools with startup costs.

Frank Riggs, a dedicated public servant and advocate for education, passed away on December 22, 2023, in Arizona, at the age of 73. Born on September 5, 1950, in Louisville, Kentucky, Frank leaves behind a legacy marked by his commitment to creating opportunities for all children. A former California congressman, Riggs served in the U.S. House of Representatives for six years, focusing on education issues as a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. His passion for education extended to his key role in sponsoring the Charter School Expansion Act of 1998, facilitating the growth of the charter school industry and providing opportunities for underserved communities. Riggs, an early supporter of charter schools, later dedicated a decade to running the nonprofit Charter Schools Development Corp., offering loans to charter schools, particularly in inner cities. Despite his contributions to the charter school movement, he advocated for stricter oversight in Arizona, demonstrating his commitment to accountability. In 2018, Riggs ran for the position of state superintendent, emphasizing the need for regulatory tightening. Although he won the Republican primary, he ultimately lost in the general election. His extensive political career included unsuccessful campaigns for the California senate in 1998 and the Arizona governorship in 2014. Frank Riggs's impact on education and his advocacy for the underprivileged will be remembered as a testament to his dedication to public service. He leaves a lasting legacy in the field of education and a void in the hearts of those who knew him.

He served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1975.

An Army veteran, having served as a Military Police officer, Riggs worked as a police officer and deputy sheriff in Santa Barbara, California, and Sonoma County, respectively. He was a member of the Windsor Unified School District Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1988 and was a real estate executive and owner of his own development company for over 20 years.

In 1999, Riggs joined the board of the Charter Schools Development Corporation, and served with CSDC until 2012. During his service, CSDC went from being a start-up nonprofit to a national leader in financing and developing educational facilities for charter schools, reaching $125 million in assets, and procuring and leveraging private capital for facility acquisitions and improvements worth $680 million; representing over four million square feet of facilities for 235 charter schools in 25 states.