{{Short description|American politician (1940–2020)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Riley Darnell | image = Riley Darnell.png | office = 36th Tennessee Secretary of State | governor = Ned McWherter<br>Don Sundquist<br>Phil Bredesen | term_start = 1993 | term_end = 2009 | predecessor = Bryant Millsaps | successor = Tre Hargett | office1 = Majority Leader of the <br/> Tennessee Senate | term_start1 = 1989 | term_end1 = 1992 | predecessor1 = Milton H. Hamilton Jr.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1989 |title=Wilder win stimulates squabbles |page=1 |work=Johnson City Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60744756/johnson-city-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008183253/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60744756/johnson-city-press/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> | successor1 = Carol Rice | office2 = Member of the <br/> Tennessee Senate <br/> from the 22nd district<ref name="life3" /> | term_start2 = 1981 | term_end2 = 1993 | predecessor2 = Halbert Harvill | successor2 = | office3 = Member of the <br/> Tennessee House of Representatives <br/> from the 67th district<ref name="life" /> | term_start3 = 1971 | term_end3 = 1981 | predecessor3 = Frank J. Runyon | successor3 = | birth_date = {{birth date|1940|5|13}} | birth_place = Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2020|10|2|1940|5|13}} | death_place = Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S. | birth_name = Riley Carlisle Darnell | spouse = Penny Crockarell | children = 5 | party = Democratic | education = Austin Peay State University (BS) <br/> Vanderbilt University Law School (JD) | allegiance = {{flag|United States|1960}} | branch = United States Air Force | service_years = 1966-1969 | signature = Riley Darnell (Signature).png | caption = Darnell in 1965 }}
'''Riley Carlisle Darnell'''<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 23, 1984 |title=Middle Name |page=1 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697561/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007211457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697561/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> (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 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.<ref name="life2">{{Cite news |date=May 11, 1970 |title=Personal life |page=10 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60630166/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006190534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60630166/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="life" /><ref name="life3">{{Cite news |date=October 2, 2020 |title=Riley Darnell |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theleafchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=riley-darnell&pid=196894516&fhid=3983 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006190512/https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theleafchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=riley-darnell&pid=196894516&fhid=3983 |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 28, 1984 |title=Personal life |page=6 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697518/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007211727/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697518/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>
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.<ref name="life">{{Cite news |date=October 2, 2020 |title=Riley Darnell, Tennessee secretary of state for 16 years, dies in Clarksville |work=Clarksville Now |url=https://clarksvillenow.com/local/riley-darnell-state-legislator-for-22-years-and-secretary-of-state-for-16-dies-in-clarksville/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006185709/https://clarksvillenow.com/local/101st-division-sustainment-brigade-ready-for-deployment-to-kuwait/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=October 3, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="life2" /><ref name="life3" />
==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.<ref name="life" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 11, 1970 |title=Candidacy Announced |page=1 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60630178/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006190954/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60630178/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 4, 1970 |title=GOP seeks to retain state House control |page=2 |work=Johnson City Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60630390/johnson-city-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006191126/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60630390/johnson-city-press/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> He was reelected in 1972, 1974, 1976, and 1978.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 9, 1972 |title=1972 election results |page=14 |work=Johnson City Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60635358/johnson-city-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006200756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60635358/johnson-city-press/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1974 |title=1974 election results |page=5 |work=The Jackson Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60635896/the-jackson-sun/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006201550/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60635896/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 4, 1976 |title=1976 election results |page=29 |work=Johnson City Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60645639/johnson-city-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006225133/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60645639/johnson-city-press/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 12, 1978 |title=1978 election results |page=20 |work=The Daily News-Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60661979/the-daily-news-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007034913/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60661979/the-daily-news-journal/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 1976 |title=Riley Darnell Seeks Post As Delegate |page=1 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60645300/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006224629/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60645300/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 27, 1976 |title=Delegates Earn Benefits From Alphabetical Listing |page=18 |work=The Jackson Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60645265/the-jackson-sun/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006224840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60645265/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>
Riley was appointed to serve on the Judicial and Finance committees in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1971.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 10, 1971 |title=Legislators Have Opportunity For Responsible Leadership |page=1 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60632296/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006192045/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60632296/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> In 1975, Riley was selected over state Senator Doug Henry to succeed Representative John Hicks as chairman of the Fiscal Review committee.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 25, 1975 |title=Darnell Chairs Committee |page=9 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60644903/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006223851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60644903/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>
===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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 24, 1980 |title=Darnell Seeks Seat In Senate |page=7 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60678222/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007155527/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60678222/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> He won the Democratic nomination against Perkins Freeman and Max Nichols and won in the general election against Republican nominee Alton Boyd.<ref name="primary 1980">{{Cite news |date=August 8, 1980 |title=1980 Democratic primary |page=6 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60678200/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007155757/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60678200/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="election 1980">{{Cite news |date=November 5, 1980 |title=1980 election |page=16 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60678525/the-tennessean/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007160016/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60678525/the-tennessean/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> He was reelected in 1984, and 1988, but lost reelection to Carol Rice in 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1984 |title=1984 election results |page=3 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697880/the-tennessean/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007211939/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697880/the-tennessean/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 9, 1988 |title=1988 election results |page=11 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60733443/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008151330/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60733443/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 6, 1992 |title=1988 election results |page=2 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60745266/the-tennessean/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008184126/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60745266/the-tennessean/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>
During the 1984 presidential election Riley supported and served on Walter Mondale's Tennessee steering committee during the Democratic presidential primaries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 16, 1984 |title=Darnell Joins Mondale Committee |page=15 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697372/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007210533/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697372/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 16, 1981 |title=Riley Darnell Will Head Senate Ethics Committee |page=1 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60696793/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007205751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60696793/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 20, 1983 |title=Darnell To Head State Committee |page=9 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697011/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007210016/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60697011/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> He was selected to serve as chairman of the Select Committee on Children and Youth in 1987.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 1, 1987 |title=Darnell Elected Chairman |page=11 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60733123/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008150604/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60733123/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> From 1989 to 1992, he served as the Majority Leader of the Tennessee Senate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 12, 2005 |title=Constitutional officers re-elected |work=NashvillePost.com |url=https://www.nashvillepost.com/home/article/20449650/constitutional-officers-reelected |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008182318/https://www.nashvillepost.com/home/article/20449650/constitutional-officers-reelected |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 10, 1986 |title=15 Senators Back Darnell |page=1 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60707326/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007235800/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60707326/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 14, 1987 |title=Wilder seeks no revenge from feud |page=1 |work=The Jackson Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60707302/the-jackson-sun/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007235907/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60707302/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> Wilder later appointed Joe Nip McKnight to replace Darnell as chairman of the Transportation committee.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 16, 1987 |title=McKnight to head road panel |page=1 |work=The Jackson Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60732830/the-jackson-sun/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008150052/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60732830/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>
===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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 10, 1992 |title=Riley Darnell Seeks Votes For Secretary of State |page=1 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60745725/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008184856/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60745725/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 19, 1992 |title=Two say total votes for post favor them |page=7 |work=Johnson City Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60745865/johnson-city-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008185043/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60745865/johnson-city-press/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="primary 1992">{{Cite news |date=November 20, 1992 |title=Darnell Wins Secretary of State post |page=2 |work=The Daily News Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60745954/the-daily-news-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008185307/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60745954/the-daily-news-journal/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 14, 1993 |title=Darnell elected secretary of state |page=6 |work=Johnson City Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60746132/johnson-city-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008185416/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60746132/johnson-city-press/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> Darnell was reelected in 1997, 2001, and 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 16, 1997 |title=Reelected in 1997 |page=6 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60801997/the-tennessean/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201009180646/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60801997/the-tennessean/ |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 9, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 2001 |title=State legislature re-elects 3 constitutional officers |page=11 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60802006/the-tennessean/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201009180920/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60802006/the-tennessean/ |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 9, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2005 |title=Lawmakers re-elect secretary of state, comptroller, treasurer |page=7 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60802014/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201009181126/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60802014/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 9, 2020 }}</ref> He lost reelected to Republican nominee Tre Hargett in 2009.<ref name="election 2009">{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2009 |title=GOP sweeps constitutional officer vote |page=7 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60802380/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201009181323/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60802380/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 9, 2020 }}</ref>
==Death==
Riley died from cancer in Clarksville, Tennessee, on October 2, 2020, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.<ref name="life3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 5, 2020 |title=Services Saturday for Former Secretary of State Riley Darnell |work=Tennessee Bar Association |url=https://www.tba.org/?pg=LawBlog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=57370 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201008190016/https://www.tba.org/?pg=LawBlog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=57370 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>
==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change|title = 1978 Tennessee House of Representatives 67th district Democratic primary<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 4, 1978 |title=1978 Democratic primary |page=2 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60662019/the-leaf-chronicle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007205106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60662019/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Riley Darnell (incumbent) |votes = 3,387 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 3,387 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 1980 Tennessee Senate 22nd district election<ref name="primary 1980"/><ref name="election 1980"/>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Riley Darnell |votes = 773 |percentage = 51.09% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Perkins Freeman |votes = 581 |percentage = 38.40% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Max Nichols |votes = 159 |percentage = 10.51% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 1,513 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Riley Darnell |votes = 19,572 |percentage = 61.24% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Alton Boyd |votes = 12,386 |percentage = 38.76% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 31,958 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title = 1992 Tennessee Secretary of State Democratic primary<ref name="primary 1992"/>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Riley Darnell |votes = 49 |percentage = 61.73% }} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Bryant Millsaps (incumbent) |votes = 32 |percentage = 38.27% |change = }} {{Election box total| |votes = 81 |percentage = 100.00% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title = 2009 Tennessee Secretary of State election<ref name="election 2009"/>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Tre Hargett |votes = 70 |percentage = 53.44% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Riley Darnell (incumbent) |votes = 61 |percentage = 46.56% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 131 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Bryant Millsaps}} {{s-ttl|title=Secretary of State of Tennessee|years=1993–2009}} {{s-aft|after=Tre Hargett}} {{s-end}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Darnell, Riley}} Category:1940 births Category:2020 deaths Category:People from Clarksville, Tennessee Category:Military personnel from Tennessee Category:Austin Peay State University alumni Category:Vanderbilt University Law School alumni Category:Tennessee lawyers Category:Democratic Party members of the Tennessee House of Representatives Category:Democratic Party Tennessee state senators Category:Secretaries of state of Tennessee Category:20th-century members of the Tennessee General Assembly