NEWPORT — A leading county commission candidate who is under fire for misrepresenting her scholastic credentials appeared to lampoon the controversy during a May 2 parade appearance seen by thousands.

Position 1 hopeful Catherine Rigby, wearing a graduation cap as she marched in the Newport Loyalty Days Parade, appeared confident that college officials will soon award her the Master’s Degree she erroneously credited herself with in the May 19 Voter’s Pamphlet.

Questions about Rigby’s advanced diploma were raised by a group called RigbyVerify.com following publication of the election guide, which deters false statements with criminal penalties. Rigby responded by saying, “As far as I am aware, I have earned a master’s degree in public policy and a bachelor’s degree in political science.” University of Utah officials disagreed, however, stating that while Rigby obtained a B.S. in Political Science “she did not graduate from the MPP (masters of Public Policy program).”

On Monday, May 6, the university issued an update, stating “Cathy Rigby contacted the University of Utah Graduate School to confirm her status in the Masters of Public Policy program on April 20, 2026. After an initial review of her records and receiving additional information from her professors, she was advised to apply for a Spring 2026 graduation prior to the late-application deadline of Friday, May 1, 2026. The graduate school is currently completing the necessary reviews to determine her eligibility for graduation.”

A frontrunner in the Boiler Bay Beacon primary election poll, Rigby leaned into the diploma controversy by donning the commencement cap in Saturday’s parade. In a statement issued May 1, she declared her innocence and downplayed the as-yet-unawarded diploma:

“While I understand those who prize the paper certificate that comes with education milestones, this was never a priority for me. In the three years I was enrolled in the MPP program at University of Utah, I was working full-time and raising children. My focus was on the education and applying it to my career.”

Appearing in Saturday’s parade side-by-side for a photo were Rigby and Pos. 1 opponent Nicholle Moody, who holds an MBA from University of Phoenix. “I initiated by saying, ‘So, you’re trolling them,’” remarked Moody. “She laughed in confirmation like it was a joke.”

Local government “watchdog” Ross Smith of RigbyVerify.com called Rigby’s parade exploit “sad and disrespectful to voters and fellow candidates.” Rigby’s campaign manager could not be reached for comment before deadline.

Besides Rigby, a senior official with the City of Newport, other Pos. 1 candidates include Congressional aide Cheri Brubaker, Union representative Dru Earls, businessman Carter McEntee, incumbent Casey Miller, and MBA graduate/business owner Nicholle Moody.