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Kentucky Senator Johnnie Turner of Harlan has died • Kentucky Lantern

Kentucky Sen. Johnnie Turner of Harlan has died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident last month.

Turner, 76, was a lawyer and had served as a medic in the U.S. Army. A Republican, he has served in the state Senate since 2021, representing Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott and Letcher counties. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002.

Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said in a statement that Turner died Tuesday evening.

“Over the past few weeks, his remarkable determination and strength has filled the Turner family – and all of us – with optimism, which has made this loss all the more difficult to bear,” Stivers said.

Robert Stivers (LRC Public Information)

Stivers said the “loss is deeply personal for me,” as he also knew Turner before they served in the Senate together.

“Johnnie has spent his life empowering others – whether through his service in the U.S. Army, as a member of the state House of Representatives and Senate, or in his private law practice. “His unwavering commitment to the people of Eastern Kentucky – his constituents, brothers and sisters in Christ, whom he so lovingly called “his people” – was at the heart of everything he did,” Stivers said.

“Johnnie’s deep love for his family, his community and the region he represented will be remembered and appreciated by all who knew him and were fortunate enough to feel the positive impact he left behind.” The impact of his His tireless work on behalf of Eastern Kentucky families will continue, and his legacy of service and leadership will not be forgotten.”

In a post on Facebook, Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, wrote:

“Johnnie was truly one of the most fascinating people I have ever met. Johnnie was born on Christmas Eve 1947 into an unusually large family of eleven children at the time. He grew up in Harlan County before attending Red Bird Mission School, where he worked on campus to pay for his books and tuition.

Phillip Wheeler (LRC Public Information)

“Johnnie served in the U.S. Army in the Panama Canal Zone from 1967 to 1969, where he met the love of his life, Maritza, to whom he was married for more than 50 years. After returning to the United States, Johnnie worked in a factory to earn the money to bring Maritza to the United States

“He then attended Union College before attending the University of Kentucky College of Law. Johnnie has literally been practicing law longer than I have been alive. He began his career in January 1978 with former federal district judge Karl Forester and practiced until his accident in September. Johnnie became a “legal legend” in the mountains as he tried hundreds of cases and represented thousands of miners.”

Wheeler called Turner a “fervent Christian” and a “great storyteller” and said one of Turner's goals in the House was to water down the “harsh workers' compensation law” supported by then-Gov. Paul Patton and enacted in 1996.

Turner was injured and hospitalized in September when a riding lawn mower he was driving plowed into an empty swimming pool.

Other Kentucky officials offered Condolences to Turner's family and friends Wednesday morning.

U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky issued a statement: “Elaine and I were saddened to hear of the death of our friend, Senator Johnnie Turner. During his service to Kentucky and the nation – in the U.S. Army, in the state House of Representatives and in the state Senate, where he represented Eastern Kentucky communities – Johnnie lived his life for others. I remember meeting Johnnie in recent years to survey the damage left by the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky. Johnnie was on the scene, ankle deep in mud, his equipment from home in tow, ready to help the people of Letcher County. That's exactly what he was: a good man who loved the mountains and their people. We extend our condolences to the entire Turner family, Johnnie’s colleagues in the Senate and everyone touched by his service.”

Governor Andy Beshear said on X: “Britain and I are saddened by the news of the death of Senator Johnnie Turner. We extend our condolences and prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman wrote in an X post that Turner “was a true champion of his beloved mountains. “His unwavering leadership for our commonwealth left an indelible mark on Eastern Kentucky.”

Republican Speaker David Osborne expressed his condolences to Turner's family in a statement on behalf of the House of Representatives.

“Johnnie will be greatly missed and his loss will be felt throughout the halls of the Kentucky State Capitol, where he served his constituents and the Commonwealth so well,” Osborne said. “A dedicated public servant, Johnnie was a fierce advocate and passionate voice for Eastern Kentucky. We are saddened by his loss, but know that his legacy will live on among those he helped.”

Turner's family includes his wife, Maritza; his children Yazmin, Susie and Johnnie; and grandchildren.

Turner's funeral was still pending Wednesday morning.

Turner sought re-election in the 29th Senate District after winning a contested Republican primary in May. He did not face any Democratic challengers in the general election.

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