Johnny Ray Turner

Johnny Ray Turner is the Democratic candidate for Kentucky House of Representatives District 95 in the November 3, 2026 general election, in which he faces Republican Tanner Hesterberg for an open seat.[1][2] Turner represented District 29 in the Kentucky State Senate from 2001 to 2021 and worked as a teacher, coach and dean of students.[2]

Johnny Ray Turner was born in Prestonburg, Kentucky, and earned a bachelor of arts and a master's degree from Morehead State University.[2] His career experience includes working as a teacher, a coach and a dean of students.[2]

Turner, a Democrat, assumed office in the Kentucky State Senate, representing District 29, in 2001 and left office on January 1, 2021.[2] In the 2017 legislative session, he served on the Senate Education, Natural Resources and Energy, and Transportation committees.[2] He lost his 2020 re-election bid to Republican Johnnie Turner, 46.6% to 53.4%.[2] The Democratic primary for the House seat on May 19, 2026, was canceled, and he advanced to the general election.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.