Atlantic County voters elected Sean Riggin sheriff Nov. 3, giving the former Pleasantville police chief a new countywide role and setting the stage for the appointment of the county’s first female undersheriff.
Riggin, a Democrat who serves as Atlantic City’s public safety director, defeated Republican incumbent Joseph “Tokyo Joe” O’Donoghue. Reported unofficial totals showed Riggin receiving 48,980 votes to O’Donoghue’s 42,476 — a margin of 6,504 votes. Results remain unofficial pending certification.
The leadership change is expected to bring another milestone. Riggin’s choice for undersheriff is Bridget Pierce, a retired Atlantic City deputy police chief who previously became the first woman to hold that rank in the city.
Pierce, a Republican, joined Riggin’s campaign team before the election. Her selection puts a member of the opposing party in line for a senior position in his administration.
According to BreakingAC, Riggin built a substantial advantage before Election Day, winning more than 70% of the mail-in vote and leading early voting by approximately 2,500 votes. O’Donoghue ultimately conceded in a Facebook video, congratulating Riggin and pledging to cooperate during the transition.
Riggin told BreakingAC that his priorities include working with municipal police departments, local officials and community organizations throughout Atlantic County. He expressed appreciation for voters’ support and emphasized Atlantic City’s contribution to his victory.
His background includes six years as Pleasantville’s police chief and military service in the U.S. Army. A Hamilton Township resident, Riggin served in Sarajevo, Bosnia, in 1996 as part of Operation Joint Endeavor. He later moved into his current public safety leadership position in Atlantic City.
The outcome returns the sheriff’s office to Democratic leadership. O’Donoghue won the office in 2023 by defeating Democratic incumbent Eric Scheffler, who had served two terms.
Riggin’s victory also formed part of a broader shift in Atlantic County government. Democrats won the county clerk’s office and all three county commissioner seats contested this year, narrowing Republicans’ majority on the nine-member commissioner board from 8-1 to 5-4.
For Riggin, the immediate task is preparing for the change in leadership while continuing his responsibilities in Atlantic City. He told BreakingAC he planned to return to his city position Friday and begin coordinating the transition.
Related coverage: Democrats sweep Atlantic County races, sharply cut Republican power.
