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Scott Turner (politician)

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Scott Turner
Official portrait, 2025
19th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Assumed office
February 5, 2025
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byMarcia Fudge
Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council
In office
April 4, 2019 – January 20, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 33rd district
In office
January 8, 2013 – January 9, 2017
Preceded byRaul Torres
Succeeded byJustin Holland
Personal details
Born
Eric Scott Turner

(1972-02-26) February 26, 1972 (age 53)
Richardson, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Robin Turner
​
(m. 1995)​
EducationUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (BA)
Signature
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 (Richardson)
College:Illinois (1991–1994)
NFL Draft:1995 / Round: 7 / Pick: 226
Career history
Player stats at PFR

Eric Scott Turner (born February 26, 1972) is an American businessman, motivational speaker, Republican politician, and former professional football player who has been the 19th and current United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development since 2025 under the second Donald Trump administration.

Turner was the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during the first Donald Trump administration.[1] Turner was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017. Before entering politics, Turner was an American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons between 1995 and 2003.

In November 2024, President-elect Trump announced his plans to name Turner as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in his second administration.[2] He was confirmed by the United States Senate in February 2025.

Early life

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Turner was born in Richardson, Texas and grew up in the Dallas area.[3][4][5] He played football and ran track in high school.[5]

Turner studied at the University of Illinois.[6] In football, he played as a wide receiver and became a cornerback later on.[7] He earned All-Big Ten honors,[3] He graduated in 1995.

Football career

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Turner was drafted in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.[4][3][8][9] He played cornerback for the Redskins from 1995 to 1997.[10] He then played four seasons, from 1998 to 2002, for the San Diego Chargers.[10][9][11]

Turner signed with the Denver Broncos in 2003.[10][9] A leg injury in 2004 during training camp ended his professional football career.[5]

Texas House of Representatives

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After his football career, Turner worked as an intern for Congressman Duncan Hunter.[9][4] He later worked full-time in the congressman's office. In 2006, he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in California during a special election to replace Duke Cunningham. He lost the election.[12] After losing the election, Turner moved back to Frisco, Texas.

In 2012, Turner successfully ran for the Texas House of Representatives as a Republican.[13][14] He unsuccessfully ran for speaker of the state house in 2015.[15] He decided not to run for re-election in 2016.[16]

After leaving the state house, President Trump hired Turner as the director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.[17][18][19][20]

Business career

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From 2007 to 2023, Turner worked at Systemware, a software company.[20][5][9] Turner is the founder and president of Community Engagement & Opportunity Council (CEOC), which helps children who are living in poverty.[19][6][19] Turner and his wife, Robin Turner, own Statesman Clothiers, a custom men’s clothing company.[9][7]

U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

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On November 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump picked Turner to be his Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for his second administration.[2]

Turner appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on January 16, 2025.[21] The committee approved his nomination in a 13–11 vote on January 23.[22] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 5, 2025 by a 55 to 44 vote.[23] He was sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas that same day.[24]

Personal life

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Turner married Robin Turner in 1995, having met in college. The couple raised his nephew, Solomon, together.[20][4][18]

Turner is an associate Baptist pastor.[25][4]

References

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  1. ↑ "Trump Names Scott Turner as Head of Opportunity and Revitalization Council". www.novoco.com. 2019-04-04. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Trump picks Scott Turner to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development". CNN. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Football (March 10, 2006). Catching Up with Former Illini Gridder and Sprinter Scott Turner. University of Illinois.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Prestonwood Baptist Academy (October 9, 2024). From the NFL to the White House | The Life of Scott Turner | The Journey Podcast (transcript). Youtube.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Batheja, Aman (December 17, 2014). In Bid for Speaker, Turner Looks to Beat the Odds. Texas Tribune.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Xavier, Diane (October 9, 2021). Former NFL athlete gives back to communities that helped him along the way. The Dallas Examiner.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Pearson, Mike (February 25, 2017). Illini legends, lists & lore: Scott Turner. The News-Gazette.
  8. ↑ "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Zimmerman, Lisa (2016). Former DB Scott Turner’s post-NFL accomplishments are vast and impressive. NFL Enterprises.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Scott Turner". espn.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  11. ↑ "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. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ Scott Turner (E. Scott Turner. Legislative Reference Library of Texas.
  14. ↑ "GOPAC Announces 2013 Emerging Leaders". 29 April 2013.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ Tribune, The Texas; Svitek, Patrick (2015-06-25). "Rep. Scott Turner Not Running for Re-election". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
  17. ↑ "Scott Turner Named White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council Executive Director". 17 April 2019.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Solo Turner. University of Illinois Athletics.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 JPI (June 7, 2023) JPI ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF SCOTT TURNER AS CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Hon. Scott Turner. Executive Director, White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, WHITE HOUSE. U.S. Department of Justice.
  21. ↑ Ho, Sally (2025-01-16). "Turner tackles HUD program reforms at confirmation hearing for housing secretary". Associated Press. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  22. ↑ O'Donnell, Katy (2025-01-23). "Senate panel advances Turner for HUD on party-line vote". Politico. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  23. ↑ "Scott Turner confirmed as Trump's HUD secretary after pledging to address housing shortages". Associated Press. February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Scott Turner Confirmed as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development". hud.gov. 2025-02-05. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  25. ↑ "Prestonwood.Live Sunday Service 12/27/20". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-06.

Other websites

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scott Turner (politician).
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