FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky state Sen. Johnnie Turner, identified for his staunch assist for the coal trade and different causes in his Appalachian district, has died after being injured at residence final month when he plunged into an empty swimming pool whereas aboard a garden mower. He was 76.
Turner, a Harlan Republican, was identified for his folksy method that endeared him to constituents and colleagues alike. Turner died Tuesday night after his “hard-fought battle” with accidents sustained within the accident, Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers stated in an announcement Wednesday.
“Johnnie spent his life lifting others — whether or not via his service within the U.S. Army, as a member of the State House of Representatives and State Senate, or in his non-public authorized observe,” Stivers stated. “His unwavering dedication to the folks of japanese Kentucky — his constituents, brothers and sisters in Christ, whom he so fondly known as ‘his folks’ — was on the coronary heart of the whole lot he did.”
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell recalled crossing paths with Turner whereas again in his residence state to survey harm from flooding that swamped elements of japanese Kentucky.
“Johnnie was on the scene, ankle-deep in mud, his tools from residence in tow, prepared to assist people in Letcher County,” McConnell stated Wednesday in an announcement. “That’s simply who he was: a great man who liked the mountains and its folks.”
Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer stated Turner’s demise was heartbreaking.
“He was simply an incredible man of the mountains, who’s form and beneficiant and open-minded about supporting initiatives that had been good for all the state, whereas on the identical time being a fierce advocate for his area,” Thayer stated Wednesday in an interview.
Turner pushed for pro-coal laws and different measures aimed toward uplifting his Appalachian district, spanning a number of counties in japanese Kentucky. Coal employment, as soon as the spine of the japanese Kentucky financial system, fell sharply over the past decade as cheaper pure gasoline costs and more durable environmental laws prompted electrical suppliers to maneuver away from shopping for coal.But Turner regarded effectively past his district to again measures benefiting the remainder of the Bluegrass State, Thayer stated, pointing to Turner’s assist for a high-stakes horse racing invoice a couple of years in the past. That measure secured the authorized standing of wagering on slots-style historic racing machines, a profitable income supply for racetracks. It was a troublesome vote for Turner, who represented a socially conservative district.
“He advised me that he noticed what occurred to the coal trade in japanese Kentucky and he didn’t need to see one other main trade — on this case the horse trade — have the identical factor occur to it,” Thayer stated. “I actually recognize his braveness on that.”
Turner served within the Kentucky House from 1999 to 2002. House Speaker David Osborne stated Wednesday that Turner was an “ardent champion and passionate voice for japanese Kentucky.”
“We are saddened by his loss, however know that his legacy will dwell on in these he helped,” Osborne stated.
Turner, an legal professional, received election to the state Senate in 2020, ousting a Democratic incumbent with the identical final identify. Turner defeated two challengers within the Republican spring main this yr.
With his demise coming so near the election, Turner’s identify will seem on the overall election poll, the secretary of state’s workplace stated. His lone November challenger, an unbiased candidate, not too long ago withdrew from the race. Write-in candidates have till Friday to file for the seat, however in any other case a particular election might be wanted to fill the seat, the secretary of state’s workplace stated.
Kentucky’s GOP-dominated legislature will start its 2025 session in January. Until then, lawmakers are assembly in interim committees to review a spread of points in preparation for subsequent yr’s 30-day session.