During this time of Thanksgiving comes the sad news that Memphis Democratic Representative Larry Turner has passed away:
The late Rep. Larry Turner (D-Memphis)
Rep. Turner, first elected to the legislature in 1984, died of heart failure Friday morning at Methodist University Hospital, where he was being treated for pneumonia. He was 70.
"He had a lot of influence bringing people together to make Memphis and the area a better place, not only for his constituents but for everyone," said Rep. Curry Todd, R. Collierville.
Rep. Gary Odom, D-Nashville, leader of the Democratic Caucus, said he never heard anyone speak badly of Turner, and doubted that anyone could because Rep. Turner stayed above the petty squabbles some others become involved in.
I did not personally know Turner, but I was his hotel neighbor on a couple of occasions as he happened to be staying in the room next to mine while I was in Nashville covering the General Assembly. A day or two I saw him downstairs in the hotel lounge grabbing something quick for breakfast before heading over to the Capitol. He always had a friendly hello and I don't ever recall him being sour toward anyone. I didn't agree with his politics, but those who speak well of Larry Turner's personal demeanor do so with validity.
It is too late for a special election to fill Turner's seat under Tennessee law, so his immediate replacement will likely be appointed by the Shelby County Commission. In either case, a Democrat will almost certainly hold the seat.
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