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John Turner was elected to serve District 114 in the Texas House of Representatives in 2018.
In his first term, he authored or co-authored legislation for better school funding, property tax relief, improved benefits for retired teachers, easier access to Pre-K for families with young children, enhanced gas line safety, and stronger support for first responders.
A fourth-generation Texan, John was born and raised in the East Texas town of Crockett. He comes from a family dedicated to public service – his mother was president of the local school board and his father was first a state legislator and later a congressman. During his summers in high school, John worked for his grandfather’s small home-building business and as a news and weather broadcaster at the local radio station.
John is also an attorney with the Dallas-based firm of Haynes and Boone. He has spent large parts of his career working for public-interest causes, like better support for our public schools and cleaner air in our cities. John and his wife, Jenia, a law professor at SMU, have been married for 16 years and have lived in Dallas for 14 years.
They are the proud parents of two sons, ages 13 and 10.
John was named one of the Best Freshman Legislators by the publication Capitol Inside.
He was named the 2019 “Fire Fighter Champion of the Year” by the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters.
He was recognized as an “Outstanding Legislator” by the Association of Texas EMS Professionals.
As an attorney, John represented 88 Texas school districts in a three-year battle that sought greater public school funding under the Texas Constitution.
John is a graduate of Harvard University and Yale Law School.
He completed the Dallas Regional Chamber’s “Leadership Dallas” program and is a member of its Education and Workforce Council.
He is a member of the House Appropriations and Environmental Regulation Committees.
He has been a volunteer for his sons’ schools, scouts and baseball teams.
The Turners are members of Highland Park United Methodist Church.