Chris Turner

Chris Turner is a Democratic state representative from Texas who has represented House District 101, which includes parts of Arlington and Grand Prairie in Tarrant County. A lifelong Texan born and raised in Dallas, Turner has lived in Tarrant County for more than 20 years. He is married to Lisa and shares his home in Grand Prairie with three rescue dogs: Cassie, Cora, and Cleo.

Education

Turner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin, which he earned between 1993 and 1996.

Political Experience

Turner was first elected to the Texas House in 2008 and served six terms representing Tarrant County. He initially represented House District 96 before moving to House District 101 .

Throughout his legislative career, Turner has held several significant positions:

• Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education during the 86th Legislature, where he sponsored legislation improving the transferability of college credits among institutions
• Chairman of the House Committee on Business & Industry
• Chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2017 to 2022, leading members during pivotal moments including the 2018 midterm elections when Democrats flipped 12 seats in the Texas House and the 2021 quorum break
• Member of the House Committee on Redistricting and House Committee on Higher Education

Notable Achievements

Turner has authored and sponsored significant legislation affecting Texas:

• Created the Veterans Cash scratch-off lottery ticket that has raised over $250 million for Texas veterans' services
• Authored a constitutional amendment extending property tax exemptions to surviving spouses of servicemembers killed in the line of duty
• Brokered a deal in 2019 to end a legislative stalemate on school finance by crafting a statewide teacher pay raise plan supported by both the House and Senate
• Championed efforts to crack down on abuses at group homes serving Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Played a pivotal role in passing payday lending ordinances in Arlington and Grand Prairie
• Authored consumer protection laws safeguarding residents from unexpected utility rate hikes and protecting tenants from unscrupulous landlords

Turner works as a communications consultant when not serving in the Legislature.