Riley was born in Ashland, Alabama, a small town in Clay County where his family ranched and farmed for six generations. Riley attended the University of Alabama, where he was a brother of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity and graduated with a degree in business administration.\n', '

Riley was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, defeating his Democratic opponent, State Senator T.D. "Ted" Little (Auburn, Ala.) and Libertarian John Sophocleus. It was his first run for elected office. He won by just over 6,000 votes to become only the second Republican to represent Alabama\'s 3rd district since Reconstruction. The first was Glenn Andrews, who held it from 1965 to 1967, when it was numbered as the 4th District.\n', '

Riley was reelected in 1998 with somewhat less difficulty, taking 58 percent of the vote over Democrat Joe Turnham. In 2000, he only faced a Libertarian candidate.\n', '

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