Bob Turner (New York politician)
Bob Turner | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2011 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 9th district | |
| In office September 15, 2011 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Weiner |
| Succeeded by | Gregory Meeks (redistricted) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 2, 1941 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Peggy Turner (m. 1963) |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | St. John's University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1962–1965 |
| Rank | Specialist 5 |
Robert L. Turner (born May 2, 1941) is an American businessman and politician who served as the United States representative for New York's 9th congressional district (containing parts of Brooklyn and Queens) from 2011 to 2013. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Turner is a retired media executive known for his success in the television talk show segment of the industry. Six years after retiring from his business career, he entered politics to run against Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner in November 2010. He lost the race, receiving 39 percent of the vote. Less than one year later, following Weiner's resignation due to a sexting scandal, Turner defeated Democrat David Weprin, 52%–47%, in a special election battle for Weiner's seat; Turner became the first Republican to represent the area since 1923. In 2012, after his congressional district was eliminated in redistricting, Turner ran for the United States Senate but was defeated in the primaries. Turner later served as chairman of the Queens County chapter of the Republican Party from 2015 to 2017.