In 1979,
James Florio, then a Congressman, encouraged
Daniel Dalton and Riley to run in the June primary under the label of the "Florio Democratic Team" against three-term incumbents
Kenneth A. Gewertz and
Francis J. Gorman, who had the support of
Angelo Errichetti and the Camden County Democratic Organization. Dalton (with 31.3% of the vote) and Riley (with 28.3%) won the two ballot spots in the primary balloting. A resident of Gloucester Township, Riley and Democratic running mate Daniel J. Dalton were elected in the November 1979 general election to represent the 4th District in the General Assembly, which covered portions of
Burlington County,
Camden County and
Gloucester County. With Burlington County removed from the 4th District and portions of
Atlantic County added in redistricting following the
1980 United States census and with Dalton running for the
New Jersey Senate seat that had been held by Democrat
Joseph A. Maressa, Riley was elected together with running mate
Anthony S. Marsella; he was reelected with Marsella in 1983, 1985, and 1987. As a member of the General Assembly, Riley led the South Jersey Assembly Coalition and served on the Mobile Home Tax Study Commission (as chairman), the Independent Authorities and Commissions Committee (as vice chairman) and as a member of the Legislative Services Commission. Characterizing himself as "a very good basic skills player" at blackjack who lacks the ability to count cards, Riley described being rudely ejected from the Brighton Casino after running up winnings of $3,500; he complained at the casino to a representative of the
New Jersey Casino Control Commission regarding the incident, but said that no action was taken to address his issues with his treatment by the casino. A bill introduced and doggedly pursued by Riley was signed into law in May 1986 by Governor
Thomas Kean, granting volunteer coaches and officials in
Little League and other youth sports programs immunity from lawsuits that they might face through their involvement and participation. Riley expressed his frustration that Republicans, after taking control of the legislature, were unfairly taking credit for a legislative initiative that they had previously blocked. In the 1987 election, Riley and his Democratic Party running mates faced a vigorous challenge from the Republicans, who claimed that Riley had missed the most votes of any Assembly member, missing or abstaining from 18% of the votes in the 1984–1985 session and almost 19% in 1986–1987. Riley noted that the missed votes were due to health issues that had resulted in surgery and operations during that time period, with other abstentions made to register his protest with the way the legislation was worded and as a means to encourage amendments that would pass with his affirmative vote. Camden County Republican Chairman
George Geist charged that Riley had abused his position in office as a way to get work for his law firm with several of the municipalities in the district; Riley rejected the claims and expressed his confidence that he would prevail in the general election and would be chosen as Assembly Speaker in the new legislative session. South Jersey Democratic Party leader
George Norcross informed Riley in February 1989 that he would not get official party support in the June 1989 party primary for a sixth term, with Riley's ballot spot – and Assembly seat – to be handed over to
Ann A. Mullen, who had worked as a legislative aide to Riley and was serving as mayor of Gloucester Township. At a press conference convened by Norcross a few hours after the private meeting, Riley stated that the actions to withdraw support for him were in poor taste, but that he wasn't bitter and looked forward to devoting more time to his legal practice and spending the full summer at his home on the
Jersey Shore in
Sea Isle City. Riley told
The Press of Atlantic City that his decade of service in the Assembly had left him "fatigued" and that he felt relief from the weight that was removed from him by being replaced by Mullen, who he publicly endorsed as his successor. In October 1989, Riley organized a farewell party attended by his parents, along with 300 constituents and fellow members of the legislature, marking his departure from the Assembly. ==References==