Scott Wiggam is the state representative for the 1st District of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Republican. The district consists of Wayne County.
Early life and career
Wiggam was born and raised in Wilmore, Kentucky. Wiggam is a graduate of Asbury University and was a Bible major. He has a master's degree in political science from the University of Akron. veteran of the United States Air Force, Wiggam did a four-year active duty tour where he was honored with an Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service.
Wiggam briefly worked as a lobbyist for a Christian organization. Wiggam is the State Chair of Ohio for the American Legislative Exchange Council, a corporate funded non-profit that hosts closed-door meetings between global corporations and state politicians to influence legislation.
Wiggam owned and operated The Neighborhood Cafe in Wooster for about one year before deciding to instead focus on a career in government .
Wayne County Commissioner
Wiggam was elected to Wayne County Commissioner in 2004.
In 2009, he supported cutting the Sheriff's Office budget by $471,397, which resulted in laying off 13 deputies and diminished law enforcement service.
In 2010, Wiggam said he would be in favor of putting a sales tax increase on the ballot.
In 2011, Wiggam was the only commissioner to vote against allowing Medway Drug Enforcement Agency to put a replacement levy on the ballot. The levy sought to replace the original levy that was passed in 1984.
The Wayne County Courthouse underwent a substantial restoration project during Wiggam's tenure as commissioner. A historic preservation analysis of the building was conducted in 2002 that identified numerous areas of significant deterioration. Some of these issues were not addressed for 13 more years and further damage resulted from weather exposure. The cost of repairs was estimated to be $2.5M in 2002 but increased to $5.5M when they were finally addressed in 2015. The construction contract was awarded to J. G. Johnson Construction Co from Cleveland.
Ohio House of Representatives
State Representative Ron Amstutz, who was serving as Speaker pro Tempore, had served in both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate for over thirty years before being term-limited in 2016. As a result, Wiggam was one of two Republicans to seek the nomination to replace him. With the district being made up of Wayne County, which Wiggam had represented as a commissioner for three terms, he defeated opponent David C. Kiefer by a 66% to 34% margin in the primary.
In the general election, he defeated independent Stephen R. Spoonamore with 67% of the vote. Spoonamore filed a lawsuit against Wiggam and other Republican politicians in Wayne County after he was initially denied permission to appear on the ballot as an independent. A judge ruled in Spoonamore's favor, allowing him to be on the ballot. Wayne County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark K. Wiest stated, "Some people believe Mr. Spoonamore is not qualified. ... I'm just wondering why we can't have an election? Ron Amstutz held that seat (for 30 years) ... why can't people have a choice? What are people afraid of?"
Wiggam refused to participate in a debate hosted by the Wayne County League of Women Voters, maintaining his argument that Spoonamore was not a legitimate candidate. Wiggam was sworn into office on January 3, 2017.
In the 2020 general election, Wiggam defeated Democrat Alison Theiss, a school bus driver and Certified Professional Sex Coach that had never held elected office. Wiggam did not respond to an invitation to participate in a debate sponsored by the Wayne County League of Women Voters.
HB6 Vote
Scott Wiggam voted in favor of House Bill 6, the nuclear bailout bill for two Ohio facilities. According to public campaign finance reports, Wiggam received $3,000 from the FirstEnergy PAC in 2019 and another $4,000 in 2020, as did dozens of other members of the Ohio General Assembly. Wiggam also received $500 from Juan Cespedes, who was arrested along with Householder. Wiggam is a member of both the Public Utility & Energy & Natural Resource committees and voted to have Householder as Speaker of the House. Despite formal opposition from the Orrville Utilities Board, which represents a municipal-owned power plant in his district, Wiggam still voted in support of HB6.