Shirley Kersey Turner (born July 3, 1941) is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where she represents the 15th Legislative District. Early life Turner was born in Dover, New Jersey and graduated from Dover High School in 1960. She received a B.A. from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) in Education and an M.A. from Rider College in Guidance and Counseling, and has done postgraduate work in education at Rutgers University. Turner resides in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township. Before entering state politics, Senator Turner served on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1983 to 1986, where she served as Freeholder Vice President. Before being elected to the State Senate, Turner served in New Jersey's lower house, the General Assembly, from 1994 to 1998. New Jersey Senate In the 1997 general election, Turner defeated incumbent Republican Dick LaRossa, making him the only Republican Senator to lose his seat. Turner was Senate President Pro Tempore, a position which she has held since 2004 to 2010. She serves in the Senate on the Education Committee (as Chair) and as a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. In a 2010 vote on same sex marriage, Turner was one of six Democrats to vote against the bill to legalize it. However, in a 2012 vote on a similar bill, she supported the measure (which would be vetoed by Governor Chris Christie). Committees Committee assignments for the current session are: Education, Vice-Chair Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity Economic Growth State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation District 15 Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The representatives from the 15th District for the 2022—23 Legislative Session are: Senator Shirley Turner (D) Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D) Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D) Election history Senate Assembly References External links Senator Turner's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Senator Shirley K. Turner, Project Vote Smart 1941 births Living people African-American state legislators in New Jersey African-American women in politics Democratic Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly County commissioners in New Jersey Democratic Party New Jersey state senators People from Dover, New