Scott Turner (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Scott Turner
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Official portrait, 2025
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| 19th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development | |||||||||||
| Assumed office February 5, 2025 |
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| President | Donald Trump | ||||||||||
| Deputy | Andrew Hughes | ||||||||||
| Preceded by | Marcia Fudge | ||||||||||
| Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council | |||||||||||
| In office April 4, 2019 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump | ||||||||||
| Preceded by | Office established | ||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Office abolished | ||||||||||
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 33rd district |
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| In office January 8, 2013 – January 9, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Raul Torres | ||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Justin Holland | ||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||
| Born |
Eric Scott Turner
February 26, 1972 Richardson, Texas, U.S. |
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| Political party | Republican | ||||||||||
| Spouse |
Robin Turner
(m. 1995) |
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| Education | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (BA) | ||||||||||
| Signature |  |
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Football career |
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| 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 | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Eric Scott Turner (born February 26, 1972) is an American businessman, politician, and former professional football player. He has been serving as the 19th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development since February 2025.
Before his current role, Turner was the Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council from 2019 to 2021. He worked under President Donald Trump during his first term. Earlier, Turner was a state representative for Texas's 33rd House District from 2013 to 2017. This district includes parts of Collin County and all of Rockwall County. Before entering politics, Turner played cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons.
On November 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced he would nominate Turner for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. The United States Senate confirmed Turner's nomination on February 5, 2025. He was sworn into office on the same day.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Scott Turner grew up in the Dallas area and is a fourth-generation Texan. His family has been active in Mount Pisgah Baptist Community Church since 1898. When he was 10, his parents divorced. He told his mother he would play in the NFL one day.
Turner went to Pearce High School, where he played football and ran track. He graduated in 1990. During high school, he worked as a dishwasher at Spring Creek Barbeque in Richardson, Texas.
He earned a full scholarship for academics and sports to the University of Illinois. In football, he started as a wide receiver. He switched to cornerback in his senior year. He wore number "21" and made 48 tackles for the 1994 Liberty Bowl champions.
In track and field, Turner was good at the 200 and 400 meters. He won the Big Ten Indoor Freshman of the Year award in 1991. He also won two Big Ten 400 meters indoor titles in 1992 and 1993. He was named Big Ten Athlete of the Month in January 1993. He earned First Team, All-Big Ten honors in 1992, 1993, and 1994. Turner also received All-America status in track and field. This was for his part in the Illinois men's 4 × 400 meter relay indoor team (1991) and outdoor teams (1993 and 1994).
Turner graduated from the University of Illinois in 1995. He earned a degree in speech communications.
Football Career Highlights
Playing in the NFL
The Washington Redskins drafted Turner in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL draft. He signed a three-year contract with the team. He played cornerback for the Redskins from 1995 to 1997. After three years, Redskins coach Norv Turner released him from the team.
He then played four seasons for the San Diego Chargers from 1998 to 2002. The Chargers released him, and he did not play in the 2002 NFL Season. Turner was the last Charger to wear #21 before Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson wore that number.
Turner signed with the Denver Broncos in 2003. A leg injury during training camp in 2004 ended his professional football career. He played in 101 NFL games. He recorded 89 tackles, five interceptions (including one for a touchdown), and two sacks.
After Playing Football
Since his playing career ended, Turner has stayed involved with the NFL. He has worked as a coach for the NFL's Legends Community program. This program helps players transition after their careers. He also served as a senior advisor to the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations.
Political Journey
Early Steps in Politics
During the 2003 NFL off-season, Turner worked as an intern for Congressman Duncan Hunter. After retiring from football, he took a full-time job in the congressman's office. In 2006, he ran for a vacant seat in California's 50th congressional district. This was a special election to replace Duke Cunningham. In the primary election on April 11, 2006, Turner finished eighth out of 17 candidates. After losing the election, Turner moved back to Frisco, Texas.
Serving in the Texas Legislature
In 2012, Turner announced he would run for the new 33rd District of the Texas House of Representatives. Turner won against Jim Pruitt in the Republican primary. He then defeated Libertarian candidate Michael Carrasco in the general election on November 6.
He was sworn into the Texas Legislature on January 8, 2013. That same year, GOPAC named him one of their "Emerging Leaders" in the Republican Party. In January 2015, Turner challenged Joe Straus for the role of Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. This was the first recorded Speaker vote since 1976. Turner was supported by the Tea Party Caucus but lost to Straus by a vote of 127 to 19.
Turner served two terms in the Texas Legislature. He represented the 33rd District from January 2013 to January 2017.
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On April 17, 2019, President Donald Trump appointed Turner as the Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. This council was created to help economically struggling areas. During his time there, Turner led the Opportunity Zones Initiative. He worked with state, local, and tribal governments. Their goal was to help revitalize distressed areas, create affordable housing, and start new businesses.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Becoming HUD Secretary
On November 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to nominate Turner. He wanted Turner to serve as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in his second presidential term. Many groups supported Turner's nomination. These included the Commercial Real Estate Development Association and the National Association of Home Builders.
Turner appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on January 16, 2025. The committee approved his nomination on January 23, 2025, with a 13–11 vote. On February 5, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination by a vote of 55–44. Turner was sworn in later that day by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Plans for HUD Headquarters
As HUD Secretary, Turner has overseen plans to move the HUD headquarters. The current building, the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, was completed in 1968. The new location is the National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters building in Alexandria, Virginia. This building was completed in 2017.
Business Ventures
From 2007 to 2023, Turner worked at Systemware. This company focuses on content management software. He held various roles, including chief inspiration officer.
Turner is also the founder and president of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council (CEOC). This organization helps children living in poverty. CEOC is known for renovating the Literacy Lab in Bonton, a part of Dallas.
In 2023, Turner became the Chief Visionary Officer of JPI. This company develops and manages apartment buildings across the U.S.
Turner and his wife, Robin Turner, own Statesman Clothiers. This company makes custom men's clothing.
Turner also owns a consulting firm called Scott Turner Consulting Group, LLC. This firm has worked with the NFL, Guidestone Financial, and the America First Policy Institute.
Personal Life
Turner is married to Robin Turner. She is from Champaign, Illinois, and also went to the University of Illinois. The couple raised his nephew, Solomon. Solomon played football for and graduated from the University of Illinois in 2024.
Turner and his family are members of Prestonwood Baptist Church. He serves as an associate pastor there. In 2016, he received an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University.
See also
In Spanish: Scott Turner para niños
