Tennessee House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner, of NashvilleNASHVILLE – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner said Thursday he won’t seek re-election to the state Legislature in November.
“I’ve served here 14 years, and I can honestly say there’s no one I’ve served with I don’t personally like,” Turner announced to colleagues on the House floor. “And I’ve tried not to like some of you. This is a hard place to quit.”
The 59-year-old Nashville firefighter has served as the House’s No. 2 Democrat since 2009. An unabashed liberal and union supporter, described by House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, as a “bull,” he is quick to anger but generally equally fast to cool down.
House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, called Turner a “good, honest advocate for his party and his positions” and added, “I’ve got a lot of respect for him, and I’ll miss him.”
That praise comes despite repeated confrontations between the two after Republicans took control of the House.