Tim Turner (politician)

Tim Turner
Turner in 2024
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 15th district
Incumbent
Assumed office November 20, 2024
Preceded by	Randy Randleman
Haskell County Sheriff
In office January 2017 – November 2022
Preceded by	Brian Hale
Succeeded by	Terry Garland
Personal details
Citizenship	American Choctaw Nation
Political party	Republican Party (since 2024)
Other political affiliations	Democratic Party (before 2024)

Tim Turner is an American politician and police officer who has represented the 15th district in the Oklahoma House of Representatives since November 2024. A member of the Choctaw Nation, he previously served as Haskell County Sheriff.

Early career

Tim Turner is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation.[1]^[better source needed] Turner started his career as a 911 dispatcher in 2003, became a reserve deputy in 2005, and was a police chief from 2006 to 2007. He briefly worked as a deputy for the McIntosh County Sheriffs Department in 2007 before becoming a district attorney's taskforce officer with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency from 2007 until 2016.[2]

Haskell County Sheriff

Turner was elected Haskell County Sheriff in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 as a member of the Democratic Party, despite President Donald Trump carrying the county both years.[3] While sheriff, he focused on stopping cattle rustling and closing illegal marijuana farms.[4][5] In 2021 he was the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association's Sheriff of the Year. In March 2022, he was appointed to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Commission and in November 2022 he resigned as sheriff. After leaving the sheriff's office he worked for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and later district attorney Jack Thorp.[3]

Oklahoma House

See also: List of Native American politicians

Turner ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives 15th district in 2024 after incumbent Randy Randleman announced his retirement. He faced Gail Jackson, Casey Johnson, Spring Morrow, and Paul Palmer in the June Republican primary. He was endorsed by Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton and described himself as "conservative MAGA," opposing illegal immigration and COVID-19 vaccine mandates.[3] He won the election outright with 52.64% of the vote.[6]

References

1. Turner, Tim (June 2, 2024). "Representative Tim Turner, House District 15". Facebook. Retrieved January 17, 2025. As Choctaw citizens ourselves, my family has been deeply engaged in Choctaw Nation affairs.
2. Anderson, Richelle (26 October 2021). "2021 Sheriff of the Year - Tim Turner". Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
3. Ndisabiye, Sasha (15 June 2024). "Cheat sheet: Former sheriff, country singer among 5 GOP candidates seeking HD 15". NonDoc. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
4. "Haskell County looks to address cattle theft". KJRH-TV. June 28, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
5. "Green Gold Rush: Illegal multi-state grow operation shut down in rural Oklahoma". KJRH-TV. June 15, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
6. "Turner tops field of five for State Rep District 15 seat". Muskogee Phoenix. June 18, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.