Kentucky State Senator Johnnie Turner, 76, died Tuesday evening, October 22, 2024, following injuries sustained in a riding lawn mower accident at his home in Baxter, Kentucky, where he plunged into an empty swimming pool.

Turner suffered the injuries on September 15 when his riding lawn mower fell into the deep end of the pool. He was initially transported to a local hospital before being airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, where he remained until his death following what officials described as a “hard-fought battle.”

The Republican legislator represented District 29 in eastern Kentucky, which includes Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, and Letcher counties. Turner had served in the Kentucky Senate since 2021, defeating a Democratic incumbent in the 2020 election. He previously held office in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002.

Before his political career, Turner served as a U.S. Army medic from 1967 to 1969 and later established himself as a prominent attorney in the region. He maintained active memberships in several professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, Kentucky Bar Association, and Harlan County Bar Association. Turner also served as an instructor for Carry Concealed Deadly Weapons training with the Department of Criminal Justice Training.

Known for his folksy manner, which endeared him to constituents and colleagues alike, Turner was a staunch advocate for the coal industry in his Appalachian district. He frequently criticized government regulations he believed were hampering the industry’s growth while also working to boost Kentucky’s economy through initiatives in horse racing.

“On the scene, ankle-deep in mud, his equipment from home in tow, ready to help folks in Letcher County,” recalled Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, describing Turner’s response to a devastating flood in the region. 

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers praised Turner’s character and resilience, stating that his “remarkable resolve and strength filled the Turner family – and all of us – with optimism, making this loss difficult to bear.” 

Turner’s civic engagement extended beyond his legislative duties. He was a member of the RedBird Mission School Board, where he served as chair, and participated in the Task Force on Post Secondary Education. He was also actively involved with Harlan Revitalization and maintained membership in the National Rifle Association.

The timing of Turner’s death created an unusual electoral situation. After winning his party’s primary, he ran unopposed in the November election, and his independent challenger had previously withdrawn from the race. His name remained on the general election ballot as early voting began in Kentucky. Citizens could file their intent to run as write-in candidates through October 25 at 4 p.m.

Scott Madon, mayor of Pineville, Kentucky, won the race in a historic write-in campaign, securing 6,825 votes and 35.2% of the total ballots cast across the five-county district.
Madon emerged victorious from a field of 11 write-in candidates following the death of Senator Turner and the withdrawal of Independent candidate David Suhr. Willie Crase finished second with 2,892 votes (15%), followed by James Tyler Ward with 2,006 votes.

“I want to build on Turner’s previous work and focus on job creation and tourism/adventure tourism in the five-county district,” Madon said after his unofficial victory.  Madon, who currently oversees an $8 million downtown revitalization project in Pineville, Kentucky, will not take office until January 2025. He plans to resign as mayor in the final days of 2024, leaving the Pineville City Council to select his successor.