Shirley Turner


Shirley Kersey Turner is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where she represents the 15th Legislative District.

Early Life

Turner received a B.A. from Trenton State College in Education and an M.A. from Rider College in Guidance and Counseling, and has done postgraduate work in education at Rutgers University. Turner was born in Dover, New Jersey and currently resides in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township. Before entering state politics, Senator Turner served on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1983 to 1986, where she served as Freeholder Vice President. Before being elected to the State Senate, Turner served in New Jersey's lower house, the General Assembly, from 1994 to 1998.

New Jersey Senate

In the 1997 general election, Turner defeated incumbent Republican Dick LaRossa, making him the only Republican Senator to lose his seat. Turner was Senate President Pro Tempore, a position which she has held since 2004 to 2010. She serves in the Senate on the Education Committee and as a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. In a 2010 vote on same sex marriage, Turner was one of six Democrats to vote against the bill to legalize it. However, in a 2012 vote on a similar bill, she supported the measure.

Committees

Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 15th district for the 218th New Jersey Legislature are:

Senate

Assembly