Eric Scott Turner (born February 26, 1972) is an American businessman, motivational speaker, politician, and former professional football player, who previously served as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.[1] Turner formerly served as a Texas state representative for the 33rd District, which includes part of Collin County and all of Rockwall County. Before entering politics, Turner was an American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons.
Scott Turner | |
|---|---|
 2019 in Scott Turner | |
| United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Presumptive nominee | |
| Assuming office TBD | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Succeeding | Adrianne Todman (acting) |
| Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council | |
| In office April 4, 2019 – January 20, 2021 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 33rd district | |
| In office January 8, 2013 – January 9, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Raul Torres |
| Succeeded by | Justin Holland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Eric Scott Turner February 26, 1972 Richardson, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (BA) |
| Signature |  |
|
American football career | |
| No. 29, 21 | |
| Position: | Cornerback |
| Personal information | |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight: | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | J. J. Pearce (TX) |
| College: | Illinois |
| NFL draft: | 1995 / round: 7 / pick: 226 |
| Career history | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
In November 2024, Trump announced his intention to name Turner as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in his second administration.[2]
Early life and education
editTurner grew up in the Dallas area,[3] and attended Pearce High School, Richardson, Texas, where he played football and ran track.
He went to college at the University of Illinois, where he started as a cornerback on the football team, and was an All-Big Ten sprinter.[3] Turner graduated from with a degree in speech communications in 1995.
Football career
editHe declared for the NFL draft in 1995 and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round.[3][4]
Turner played cornerback for the Redskins from 1995 to 1996, for the San Diego Chargers from 1998 to 2001, and for the Denver Broncos in 2003.[5] He was the last Charger to wear #21 before Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson wore the number.[6] Turner played in 101 NFL games, finishing his NFL career with 89 tackles, five interceptions, and two sacks.[5]
Political career
editDuring NFL off-seasons, Turner worked as an intern for Congressman Duncan Hunter. After retiring from football, he accepted a full-time job in the congressman's office. In 2006, he ran for the vacated seat of California's 50th congressional district in the 2006 special election to replace Duke Cunningham. In the blanket primary election held April 11, 2006, Turner finished eighth out of 17 candidates.[7] After losing the election, Turner moved back to Frisco, Texas.
In 2012, Turner announced his candidacy for the newly created 33rd District of the Texas House of Representatives. Turner defeated Jim Pruitt in the Republican primary and defeated Libertarian candidate Michael Carrasco in the November 6 general election.
He was sworn into the Texas Legislature on January 8, 2013.[8] That same year, he was named by GOPAC to their list of Emerging Leaders in the Republican party.[9] Turner challenged Joe Straus for role of Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives in January 2015, the first recorded Speaker vote since 1976.[10] Though backed by the Tea Party Caucus, Turner lost to Straus by 127 votes to 19.[11] [12] Turner served two consecutive terms in the Texas Legislature, representing the 33rd District from January 2013 to January 2017.[8]
In 2019, President Trump appointed Turner as the director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, created by Executive Order 13853.[13]
Business career
editIn April 2007, Turner took a job at Systemware, a content management software company, where he was[when?] director of business development. He also launched[when?] a custom men's suit clothing line.[citation needed]
In 2023, Turner was named Chief Visionary Officer of JPI, a national developer, builder, and investment manager of Class A, attainable and affordable multifamily assets across the U.S.[14]
Personal
editTurner is married to Robin Turner, a Champaign, Illinois native. The couple raised his nephew, Solomon, who graduated from the University of Illinois in 2024.
Turner and his family are members of Prestonwood Baptist Church, where he serves as an associate pastor.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Trump Names Scott Turner as Head of Opportunity and Revitalization Council". www.novoco.com. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
- ^ "Trump picks Scott Turner to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development".
- ^ a b c Football (March 10, 2006). Catching Up with Former Illini Gridder and Sprinter Scott Turner. University of Illinois.
- ^ "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ a b "Scott Turner". espn.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "Trump Will Introduce Scott Turner As The Executive Director Of The White House Opportunity And Revitalization Council :: The Pavlovic Today". Trump Will Introduce Scott Turner As The Executive Director Of The White House Opportunity And Revitalization Council :: The Pavlovic Today. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
- ^ "Special Primary Election - April 11, 2006". Secretary of State of California. April 21, 2006. Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ a b Scott Turner (E. Scott Turner. Legislative Reference Library of Texas.
- ^ "GOPAC Announces 2013 Emerging Leaders". April 29, 2013.
- ^ Batheja, Aman (November 25, 2014). "Last Contested Vote for Texas House Speaker Was in 1975". Texas Tribune. Austin, Texas. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- ^ "San Antonio Republican Joe Straus re-elected speaker with all El Paso votes". El Paso times. January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- ^ Tribune, The Texas; Svitek, Patrick (June 25, 2015). "Rep. Scott Turner Not Running for Re-election". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
- ^ "Scott Turner Named White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council Executive Director". April 17, 2019.
- ^ "Scott Turner | JPI | Building What Matters".
- ^ "Prestonwood.Live Sunday Service 12/27/20". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021.