Kentucky Senator Johnnie Turner is being remembered for his approach to life on and off the Senate floor. The leader of the 38-member legislative body reflects on the man he knew way before politics.
The 76-year-old Turner died Tuesday more than a month after suffering serious injuries in a lawn mower accident. He drove the mower into the deep end of an empty swimming pool at his home. Senate President Robert Stivers said Turner had battled and improved but just couldn’t come back.
“It’s tragic. It hurts. People sometimes look at politicians as very unemotional, but this one hurts. Not nearly as bad as his family,” said Stivers.
Stivers said he and Turner met before either was involved in politics, Stivers practicing law in Leslie County where Turner had family.
Stivers said it was a tragic set of circumstances and a freak accident. The Senate president said the Harlan lawmakers attend Red Bird Mission School and then served on the board trying to help during difficult times. He said legislators are people with the same issues as everyone else.
“And we go through it, just like anybody else and we’re just a little bit more highlighted because of the positions we’re in. But, it was a….Johnnie was such a good guy,” said Stivers.
Stivers said Turner’s senatorial seat could be filled by a write-in candidate. The deadline to file as a write-in is 4:00 Friday. The GOP leader said there could be a full campaign in the last ten days before the election. Stivers said it will be important to respect Turner’s family in this. And the leader of the Senate chamber said steps will be taken to honor Turner’s military service. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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