Shirley Turner

For other people named Shirley Turner, see Shirley Turner (disambiguation).

Shirley Kersey Turner (born July 3, 1941) 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.

Shirley Turner
President pro tempore of the New Jersey Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2024
Preceded by	Sandra Bolden Cunningham
In office January 8, 2002 – January 12, 2010 Serving with Joseph A. Palaia (2002–2004)
Preceded by	Joseph A. Palaia
Succeeded by	Nia Gill
Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 15th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 13, 1998
Preceded by	Dick LaRossa
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 15th district
In office January 11, 1994 – January 13, 1998
Preceded by	John W. Hartmann John Watson
Succeeded by	Bonnie Watson Coleman
Personal details
Born	(1941-07-03) July 3, 1941 (age 84) Dover, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Donald Turner (died 2024)
Education	College of New Jersey (BA) Rider University (MA) Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Website	State Senate website

Early life

Turner was born in Dover, New Jersey, and graduated from Dover High School in 1960.^[1] She received a B.A. from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) in Education and an M.A. from Rider College in Guidance and Counseling, and has done postgraduate work in education at Rutgers University.^[2]

Turner resides in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township.^[3] 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.^[2] Before being elected to the State Senate, Turner served in New Jersey's lower house, the General Assembly, from 1994 to 1998.^[2]

New Jersey Senate

In the 1997 general election, Turner defeated incumbent Republican Dick LaRossa, making him the only Republican Senator to lose his seat.^[4] 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 (as Chair) and as a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.^[2] 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 (which would be vetoed by Governor Chris Christie).^[5]

Committees

Committee assignments for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:^[2]

• Education (as vice-chair)
• Economic Growth (as vice-chair)
• State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation

District 15

Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.^[6] The representatives from the 15th District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:^[7]

• Senator Shirley Turner (D)
• Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)
• Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D)

Election history

Senate

15th Legislative District General Election, 2023^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner (incumbent)	27,760	73.2
	Republican	Roger R. Locandro	10,173	26.8
Total votes			37,933	100.0
	Democratic hold

15th Legislative District general election, 2021^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner (incumbent)	38,627	72.18
	Republican	Susan Gaul	14,886	27.82
Total votes			53,513	100.0
	Democratic hold

New Jersey general election, 2017^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner	36,624	74.0	10.7
	Republican	Lee Eric Newton	12,839	26.0	10.7
Total votes			'49,463'	'100.0'

New Jersey State Senate elections, 2013^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Shirley Turner (incumbent)	30,250	63.3
	Republican	Donald J. Cox	17,507	36.7
	Democratic hold

New Jersey State Senate elections, 2011^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner (incumbent)	21,512	66.4
	Republican	Donald J. Cox	10,900	33.6
	Democratic hold

New Jersey State Senate elections, 2007^[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner (incumbent)	20,100	62.8
	Republican	Bob Martin	11,924	37.2
	Democratic hold

New Jersey general election, 2003^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner	24,053	67.4	1.7
	Republican	Calvin O. Iszard	11,638	32.6	2.9
Total votes			'35,691'	'100.0'

New Jersey general election, 2001^[15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner	32,289	69.1
	Republican	Norbert E. Donelly	13,871	29.7
	Libertarian	Thomas D. Abrams	563	1.2
Total votes			46,723	100.0

New Jersey general election, 1997^[16]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner	29,995	53.9	6.2
	Republican	Dick LaRossa	25,630	46.1	6.2
Total votes			'55,625'	'100.0'

Assembly

New Jersey general election, 1995^[17][18]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner	20,681	28.2	2.5
	Democratic	Reed Gusciora	19,294	26.3	2.6
	Republican	Joe Constance	15,319	20.9	2.6
	Republican	Gloria S. Teti	14,675	20.0	1.0
	Conservative	George E. Borchers	1,131	1.5	N/A
	Libertarian	Robert D. Figueroa	1,105	1.5	N/A
	Conservative	Beverly Kidder	1,029	1.4	N/A
Total votes			'73,234'	'100.0'

New Jersey general election, 1993^[19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Shirley K. Turner	25,759	25.7	4.4
	Democratic	Joseph Yuhas	23,714	23.7	4.2
	Republican	John Hartmann	23,495	23.5	1.7
	Republican	Donald C. Addison, Jr.	19,062	19.0	2.2
	Independent	Carl J. Mayer	6,531	6.5	N/A
	For the People	Tony Belardo	1,361	1.4	N/A
	Constitutional Enforcer	Clinton C. Barlow	235	0.2	N/A
Total votes			'100,157'	'100.0'