Shirley Turner

Shirley Turner

Shirley Kersey Turner (born July 3, 1941) is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where she represents the 15th Legislative District.

Before entering state politics, Senator Turner served on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1983 to 1986, where she served as Freeholder Vice President. Before being elected to the State Senate, Turner served in New Jersey's lower house, the General Assembly, from 1994 to 1998. In the 1997 general election, Turner defeated incumbent Republican Dick LaRossa, making him the only Republican Senator to lose his seat.

Turner was Senate President Pro Tempore, a position which she has held since 2004 to 2010. She serves in the Senate on the Education Committee (as Chair) and as a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Turner received a B.A. from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) in Education and an M.A. from Rider College in Guidance and Counseling, and has done postgraduate work in education at Rutgers University. She is the Associate Director of Career Services at Rider University. Turner was born in Dover, New Jersey and currently resides in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township.

She is African American and is a member of the NAACP. Turner was one of six Democrats to vote against same-sex marriage in New Jersey.