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Riley Darnell

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American politician (1940–2020)
Riley Darnell
Darnell in 1965
36th Tennessee Secretary of State
In office
1993–2009
GovernorNed McWherter
Don Sundquist
Phil Bredesen
Preceded byBryant Millsaps
Succeeded byTre Hargett
Majority Leader of the
Tennessee Senate
In office
1989–1992
Preceded byMilton H. Hamilton Jr.
Succeeded byCarol Rice
Member of the
Tennessee Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
1981–1993
Preceded byHalbert Harvill
Member of the
Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 67th district
In office
1971–1981
Preceded byFrank J. Runyon
Personal details
BornRiley Carlisle Darnell
(1940-05-13)May 13, 1940
Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedOctober 2, 2020(2020-10-02) (aged 80)
Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpousePenny Crockarell
Children5
EducationAustin Peay State University (BS)
Vanderbilt University Law School (JD)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Air Force
Years of service1966-1969

Riley Carlisle Darnell (May 13, 1940 – October 2, 2020) was an American politician and lawyer who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 67th district, Tennessee Senate from the 22nd district, Majority Leader of the Tennessee Senate, and as Tennessee Secretary of State as a member of the Democratic Party.

Darnell was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, and educated at Clarksville High School, Austin Peay State University, and Vanderbilt University Law School. In 1970, he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives with the Democratic nomination, and during his tenure in the House of Representatives, he served on the Judicial, Finance, and Fiscal Review committees. In 1980, he was elected to the Tennessee Senate, and during his tenure in the Senate, he served on the Transportation, Ethics, Finance Ways and Means, Fiscal Review, and the Children and Youth committees.

Darnell unsuccessfully sought the position of Speaker of the Senate against incumbent John Shelton Wilder in 1986. In 1989, he was selected to serve as Majority Leader of the Tennessee Senate. He lost re-election in 1992 but successfully defeated incumbent Secretary of State Bryant Millsaps and served in that position until 2009.

Early life

Riley Carlisle Darnell was born on May 13, 1940, in Clarksville, Tennessee, to Elliot S. Darnell and Mary Anita Whitefield. Riley graduated from Clarksville High School in 1958, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Austin Peay State University in 1962, and graduated with a juris doctor degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1965.

He was accepted into the Tennessee State Bar in 1965. From 1966 to 1969, he served in the United States Air Force. He married Penny Corckarell, with whom he had five children.

Career

Tennessee House of Representatives

Riley announced in 1970 that he would seek the Democratic nomination for a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 67th district to succeed Frank J. Runyon. He won the Democratic nomination and faced no opposition in the general election. He was reelected in 1972, 1974, 1976, and 1978.

During the 1976 presidential election Riley supported and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Jimmy Carter from the 6th congressional district during the Democratic presidential primaries.

Riley was appointed to serve on the Judicial and Finance committees in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1971. In 1975, Riley was selected over state Senator Doug Henry to succeed Representative John Hicks as chairman of the Fiscal Review committee.

Tennessee Senate

Riley announced in 1980 that he would seek the Democratic nomination for a seat in the Tennessee Senate from the 22nd district to succeed Halbert Harvill. He won the Democratic nomination against Perkins Freeman and Max Nichols and won in the general election against Republican nominee Alton Boyd. He was reelected in 1984, and 1988, but lost reelection to Carol Rice in 1992.

During the 1984 presidential election Riley supported and served on Walter Mondale's Tennessee steering committee during the Democratic presidential primaries.

Riley was appointed to serve on the Finance Ways and Means committee, as vice-chairman of the Transportation committee, and as chairman of the Ethics committee in the Tennessee Senate in 1981. In 1983, he was appointed to serve as a member of the Finance Ways and Means committee, vice-chairman of the Fiscal Review committee, and as chairman of the Transportation committee. He was selected to serve as chairman of the Select Committee on Children and Youth in 1987. From 1989 to 1992, he served as the Majority Leader of the Tennessee Senate.

On November 9, 1986, fifteen of the twenty-three Democrats in the Tennessee Senate voted to support Riley for the position of Speaker of the Senate, which informally served as the Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee, against incumbent John Shelton Wilder. However, Wilder defeated Riley with eighteen votes, with his support coming from eight Democrats and ten Republicans, against Riley's fifteen votes. Wilder later appointed Joe Nip McKnight to replace Darnell as chairman of the Transportation committee.

Tennessee Secretary of State

On November 9, 1992, Darnell announced that he would seek the office of Tennessee Secretary of State against incumbent Bryant Millsaps after he had lost reelection to the Tennessee Senate. Darnell won the Democratic nomination against Millsaps on November 19, and was elected as Secretary of State on Tennessee General Assembly on January 13, 1993. Darnell was reelected in 1997, 2001, and 2005. He lost reelected to Republican nominee Tre Hargett in 2009.

Death

Riley died from cancer in Clarksville, Tennessee, on October 2, 2020, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

Electoral history

Riley Darnell electoral history
1978 Tennessee House of Representatives 67th district Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Riley Darnell (incumbent) 3,387 100.00%
Total votes 3,387 100.00%
1980 Tennessee Senate 22nd district Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Riley Darnell 773 51.09%
Democratic Perkins Freeman 581 38.40%
Democratic Max Nichols 159 10.51%
Total votes 1,513 100.00%
1980 Tennessee Senate 22nd district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Riley Darnell 19,572 61.24%
Republican Alton Boyd 12,386 38.76%
Total votes 31,958 100.00%
1992 Tennessee Secretary of State Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Riley Darnell 49 61.73%
Democratic Bryant Millsaps (incumbent) 32 38.27%
Total votes 81 100.00%
2009 Tennessee Secretary of State election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tre Hargett 70 53.44%
Democratic Riley Darnell (incumbent) 61 46.56%
Total votes 131 100.00%

References

  1. "Wilder win stimulates squabbles". Johnson City Press. January 11, 1989. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Riley Darnell". The Tennessean. October 2, 2020. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  3. ^ "Riley Darnell, Tennessee secretary of state for 16 years, dies in Clarksville". Clarksville Now. October 2, 2020. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  4. "Middle Name". The Leaf-Chronicle. July 23, 1984. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Personal life". The Leaf-Chronicle. May 11, 1970. p. 10. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Personal life". The Leaf-Chronicle. June 28, 1984. p. 6. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Candidacy Announced". The Leaf-Chronicle. May 11, 1970. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "GOP seeks to retain state House control". Johnson City Press. November 4, 1970. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "1972 election results". Johnson City Press. November 9, 1972. p. 14. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "1974 election results". The Jackson Sun. November 7, 1974. p. 5. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "1976 election results". Johnson City Press. November 4, 1976. p. 29. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "1978 election results". The Daily News-Journal. November 12, 1978. p. 20. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Riley Darnell Seeks Post As Delegate". The Leaf-Chronicle. May 20, 1976. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Delegates Earn Benefits From Alphabetical Listing". The Jackson Sun. May 27, 1976. p. 18. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Legislators Have Opportunity For Responsible Leadership". The Leaf-Chronicle. February 10, 1971. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Darnell Chairs Committee". The Leaf-Chronicle. February 25, 1975. p. 9. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Darnell Seeks Seat In Senate". The Leaf-Chronicle. June 24, 1980. p. 7. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "1980 Democratic primary". The Leaf-Chronicle. August 8, 1980. p. 6. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "1980 election". The Tennessean. November 5, 1980. p. 16. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "1984 election results". The Tennessean. November 7, 1984. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "1988 election results". The Leaf-Chronicle. November 9, 1988. p. 11. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. "1988 election results". The Tennessean. November 6, 1992. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. "Darnell Joins Mondale Committee". The Leaf-Chronicle. March 16, 1984. p. 15. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. "Riley Darnell Will Head Senate Ethics Committee". The Leaf-Chronicle. January 16, 1981. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. "Darnell To Head State Committee". The Leaf-Chronicle. January 20, 1983. p. 9. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. "Darnell Elected Chairman". The Leaf-Chronicle. September 1, 1987. p. 11. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Constitutional officers re-elected". NashvillePost.com. January 12, 2005. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  28. "15 Senators Back Darnell". The Leaf-Chronicle. November 10, 1986. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. "Wilder seeks no revenge from feud". The Jackson Sun. January 14, 1987. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. "McKnight to head road panel". The Jackson Sun. January 16, 1987. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. "Riley Darnell Seeks Votes For Secretary of State". The Leaf-Chronicle. November 10, 1992. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. "Two say total votes for post favor them". Johnson City Press. November 19, 1992. p. 7. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Darnell Wins Secretary of State post". The Daily News Journal. November 20, 1992. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. "Darnell elected secretary of state". Johnson City Press. January 14, 1993. p. 6. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. "Reelected in 1997". The Tennessean. January 16, 1997. p. 6. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. "State legislature re-elects 3 constitutional officers". The Tennessean. January 11, 2001. p. 11. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. "Lawmakers re-elect secretary of state, comptroller, treasurer". The Leaf-Chronicle. January 13, 2005. p. 7. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "GOP sweeps constitutional officer vote". The Leaf-Chronicle. January 16, 2009. p. 7. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. "Services Saturday for Former Secretary of State Riley Darnell". Tennessee Bar Association. October 5, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  40. "1978 Democratic primary". The Leaf-Chronicle. August 4, 1978. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
Political offices
Preceded byBryant Millsaps Secretary of State of Tennessee
1993–2009 		Succeeded byTre Hargett
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