Rep. Bob Turner Will Not Seek Re-Election in November

Rep. Bob Turner (D-Racine) is not going to run for re-election in the newly created 66th Assembly District.

In a release from his office, Turner said he's ready to step down after serving 22 years in Madison representing the 61st District.

With the new Assembly district maps, most of the City of Racine is its own district - the 61st - while the southeastern portions of Mount Pleasant, including the Lake Park neighborhood that Turner has been representing, will now be part of a new 64th Assembly District with parts of Somers and the City of Kenosha.

Talking with residents was one of his favorite parts of the job, Turner said.

Turner's Legislative colleagues are issuing statements about Turner's announcement.

From Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester): “This is an unfortunate decision for the citizens of Racine. Rep. Turner worked hard for his constituents during his 22 years in the state Assembly. I had the pleasure working with him over the years. This past session, we co-sponsored legislation to increase the number of mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. I commend his legislative efforts to help veterans like himself get the assistance that they deserve. I wish him and his family the best.”

From state Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine): “Bob Turner has been a friend of mine for over fifty years. Bob has displayed a servant’s heart for our community at both the local and state level, serving as a city of Racine alderman, and most recently in the Assembly as our state representative for more than 21 years.

“Bob has been a person of consistent integrity over the years, and has provided me counsel, guidance and sage advice in my transition to legislator. For that, and his friendship, I will be forever grateful.”

Here's the full release from Turner's office:

State Representative Robert Turner (D-Racine) announced today that he will not seek re-election to the newly-created 66th Assembly District. Turner indicated he had come to the decision after much consideration and felt it was time to give the electorate a chance to choose a new Representative.

Rep. Turner was first elected to the State Assembly in 1990 and served 22 years as the State Representative for Racine’s 61st District. Turner, a Vietnam veteran, also served on the Racine City Council from 1976 to 2004, and spent many years representing both the 8th Aldermanic District along with his Assembly District.

According to Turner, the best part of his job was talking to his constituents, getting their views on state and local policy, and helping them with problems with the state bureaucracy.  He thanked all of his constituents in the 61st District for their support over the years and said it has been his distinct pleasure to serve them.