State Representative Robert L. Turner was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1990, and has been re-elected to nine subsequent terms in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. Served as Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 Legislative sessions. The 61st Assembly District is an urban district comprised of roughly the eastern half of the City of Racine, Wisconsin (population 85,000).

Representative Turner was born on September 14, 1947 in Columbus, Mississippi. He graduated from R.E. Hunt High School in Columbus prior to moving to Wisconsin in the mid-1960's. He was soon after drafted and served in the United States Air Force, completing a tour of duty in Vietnam during the years 1967-1970. As a result of that experience, Representative Turner formed and maintains strong alliances with veterans groups and has actively supported their causes during his tenure in the State Assembly.

In 1992 he received the Vietnam Veterans of America Distinguished Achievement Award, and in 1999 he was made a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Subsequent to his discharge from the Air Force, Representative Turner returned to Wisconsin and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 1976. He has been employed as a publisher, personnel manager and restaurant manager prior to his election to the Legislature.

Representative Turner was elected to the Racine City Council in 1976, where he served on the Public Works, License & Welfare, and Finance Committees and served as Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee from 1988-2003. In 1996 Alderman Turner was appointed to the City of Racine Weed and Seed Oversight Committee. He has been active in several local organizations, among them the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board of Advisors, the NAACP, American Legion, VFW, the Masonic Fraternity and Shriner Club, the Urban League of Racine and Kenosha (past Chairperson) and the Racine Raider Football Team. Representative Turner was conferred as a 33rd Degree Mason in 1999.