A Representative from Georgia; born in Hancock County, Ga., November 22, 1943; graduated from Sparta High School, Sparta, Ga.,1961; A.B., University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., 1965; J.D., University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., 1967; lawyer, private practice; assistant district attorney, Cobb County, Ga., 1968-1972; district attorney, Cobb County, Ga., 1973-1976; elected to the Georgia state house of representatives, 1980-1983; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-eighth Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Larry McDonald; reelected to the Ninety-ninth and to the four succeeding Congresses (November 8, 1983-January 3, 1995); unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Fourth Congress; unsuccessful candidate for nomination to the One Hundred Eighth Congress in 2002; delegate to the Democratic National Convention, 1996, 2000, and 2004; board of trustees, LaGrange College, LaGrange, Ga., 2002 to present. Darden has served as an advisor and lecturer on behalf of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. He has lectured and participated in programs concerning issues of National Defense and Ethics in Turkey, Senegal and Indonesia. Darden has served as an advisor and lecturer on behalf of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. He has lectured and participated in programs concerning issues of National Defense and Ethics in Turkey, Senegal and Indonesia.