Republican Dean Darnall formally announced his candidacy for St. Clair County Coroner in the 2024 general election.
Darnall will run unopposed in the March 19 primary election and will challenge incumbent Calvin Dye, a Democrat, in November.
“I knew running for coroner was something I would eventually do after working with my friend and mentor, the late Rick Stone, former St. Clair County Coroner,” Darnall stated.
Darnall worked in the St. Clair County Coroner’s office for 10 years as a deputy coroner under Stone.
“Working as a deputy coroner was an honor and a privilege,” he stated. “It would be an extreme honor to serve the people of St. Clair County as their coroner. It’s about the integrity of the office along with compassion and respect for the families.”
Darnall is a lifelong resident of O’Fallon. He worked in law enforcement for over 20 years. He started as a patrolman, then deputy sheriff, and worked his way up to the position of Chief of Police.
While serving in law enforcement, Darnall earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Darnall has been a member of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators since 2012 as a certified death investigator along with attending “countless hours” of coroner training.