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Donald H. Turner

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Don Turner
Minority Leader of the Vermont House of Representatives
In office
January 5, 2011 – January 9, 2019
Preceded byPatti Komline
Succeeded byPatricia McCoy
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives
from the Chittenden 10th district
In office
January 23, 2007 – January 9, 2019
Personal details
Born(1964-07-19)July 19, 1964
Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
DiedNovember 30, 2024(2024-11-30) (aged 60)
Colchester, Vermont, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseGail Turner
EducationChamplain College (AS)

Donald H. Turner Jr. (July 19, 1964 – November 30, 2024) was an American Republican politician who served in the Vermont House of Representatives, to which he was first elected in 2006.[1][2] He represented the Chittenden-9 district until 2012 and represented the Chittenden-10 district from 2013 to 2019 for the town of Milton in Chittenden County. He also served as the Minority Leader of the Vermont House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. Turner later served as the Town Manager of Milton as well as a member of the Board of Civil Authority.[3] He was also a certified fire instructor, a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Milton Firefighters Association, and was the Milton Fire and Rescue Chief and Forest Fire Warden.[4]

Turner was the 2018 Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont.[5] He ran on a platform of affordability and economic growth; balance and collaboration; and supporting first responders and service-members.[6] Turner lost to incumbent Dave Zuckerman (P/D) in the November general election.

Legislative service

Turner was first elected to the Legislature in 2006. During his time in the Vermont House Representatives, Turner served on several committees, including the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development; the House Committee on Education; the House Committee on Agriculture and Forest Products; the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions; the House Rules Committee; the Joint Rules Committee; and the Legislative Council Committee.[7][8][9][10]

Much of the legislation introduced by Turner focused on property tax relief, affordability, economic growth, housing development, government modernization, budgetary management, public safety, and permitting reform. This includes legislation to improve the operations of state government, reduce property tax bills, eliminate taxes on Social Security income and military retirement income, and address unfunded pension liabilities.[11][12][13][14] While serving as Minority Leader, Turner also worked with Democratic Representatives to advance legislation on issues like sexual harassment prevention.[15]

Death

Turner died in Colchester, Vermont, on November 30, 2024, following a diagnosis of glioblastoma. He was 60.[16][17]

Electoral history

2018 Vermont Lieutenant Governor General Election

Party Candidate Votes % Winner
Progressive/Democrat David Zuckerman 158,530 58.4
Republican Don Turner 108,417 40.0
Liberty Union Murray Ngoima 4,108 1.5

2016 Chittenden-10 State Representative General Election

Party Candidate Votes % Winner
Republican Don Turner 3,387 54.3
Republican Ron Hubert 2,765 44.3

2014 Chittenden-10 State Representative General Election

Party Candidate Votes % Winner
Republican Don Turner 2,012 53.8
Republican Ron Hubert 1,691 45.2

2012 Chittenden-10 State Representative General Election

Party Candidate Votes % Winner
Republican Don Turner 3,144 48.8
Republican Ron Hubert 2,150 33.4
Democrat Todd Buik 1,144 17.8

2010 Chittenden-9 State Representative General Election

Party Candidate Votes % Winner
Republican Don Turner 2,282 38.6
Republican Ron Hubert 1,754 29.7
Democrat Reginald Godin 1,254 21.2
Democrat Todd Buik 617 10.4

2008 Chittenden-9 State Representative General Election

Party Candidate Votes % Winner
Republican Don Turner 2,843 38.1
Republican Ron Hubert 1,878 25.2
Democrat Reginald Godin 1,806 24.2
Democrat Todd Buik 918 12.3

2006 Chittenden-9 State Representative General Election

Party Candidate Votes % Winner
Republican/Democrat Don Turner 2,398 44.1
Democrat Reginald Godin 1,556 28.6
Republican Daniel Fitzgerald 1,476 27.1

References

  1. ^ "List of Representatives in the Vermont House of Representatives from the state legislators database -- Adam Brown, BYU Political Science". adambrown.info. Archived from the original on 2019-05-17. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  2. ^ Vote Smart -- Donald Turner, Jr.'s Biography
  3. ^ "Turner appointed acting manager". The Milton Independent Online. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  4. ^ "Representative Don Turner". legislature.vermont.gov.
  5. ^ Norton, Kit (19 August 2018). "Turner fundraising outpaces Zuckerman in lieutenant governor race". VTDigger.
  6. ^ "Issues". Don Turner Jr. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  7. ^ "Representative Donald Turner". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  8. ^ "Representative Donald Turner". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  9. ^ "Representative Don Turner". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  10. ^ "Representative Don Turner". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  11. ^ "Bill Status H.732". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  12. ^ "Bill Status H.689". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  13. ^ "Bill Status H.743". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  14. ^ "Bill Status H.839". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  15. ^ "Bill Status H.707 (Act 183)". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  16. ^ Heintz, Paul (December 1, 2024). "'Mr. Milton': Don Turner, former leader of Vermont House Republicans, dies at 60". VTDigger.
  17. ^ "Donald H. Turner, Jr". Minor Funeral and Cremation House. December 1, 2024.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
2018
Succeeded by
Vermont House of Representatives
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Vermont House of Representatives
2011–2019
Succeeded by