Mauree Turner

Mauree Nivek Rajah Salima Turner (born 1992 or 1993) is an American politician and community organizer. They are a member-elect of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Turner is the first publicly non-binary U.S. state lawmaker and the first Muslim member of the Oklahoma Legislature. They previously served as a board member of the Council on American–Islamic Relations and led criminal justice reform initiatives with the American Civil Liberties Union.

Mauree Turner
Member-elect of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 88th district
Assuming office
January 2021
SucceedingJason Dunnington
Personal details
Born
Mauree Nivek Rajah Salima Turner

1992 or 1993 (age 27–28)[1]
Ardmore, Oklahoma, US
Political partyDemocratic
Websitewww.maureeturner.com

Early life

Turner is from Ardmore, Oklahoma.[2][3] They are Muslim, raised in an interfaith Baptist and Muslim household.[1] Their family received public assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,[4] and their father spent time in prison.[5] Turner graduated from Ardmore High School[2] and attended Oklahoma State University-Stillwater.[5]

Career

Turner was a board member of the Council on American–Islamic Relations and led the "Campaigning for Smart Justice" criminal justice reform initiative of the American Civil Liberties Union.[6]

In the 2020 elections, Turner ran as a Democrat for the Oklahoma House of Representatives in district 88, held by incumbent Democrat Jason Dunnington. The district is located in Central Oklahoma City, primarily to the southeast of Interstate 44 and to the west of Interstate 235, containing the campus of Oklahoma City University.[7]

Turner's 2020 election campaign was focused on criminal justice reform.[4] Turner defeated Dunnington in the primary election and was backed by U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar.[8] They then defeated Kelly Barlean, the Republican nominee, in the general election, with approximately 71% of the vote.[9] They were also endorsed by politician Pete Buttigieg and Senator Elizabeth Warren in the general election.[10][11] When Turner is sworn in, they will become the first publicly non-binary state lawmaker and the first Muslim member of the Oklahoma Legislature.[4][10][12]

Personal life

Turner is queer and non-binary. They use they/them and she/her pronouns.[4]

References
  1. Forman, Carmen (November 4, 2020). "Oklahoma elects first Muslim, nonbinary state legislator". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  2. Smith, Michael (June 1, 2020). "Floyd death prompts solidarity march in Ardmore". The Daily Ardmoreite. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  3. Turner, Mauree (June 22, 2020). "A Conversation With Oklahoma's Muslim Candidate". CAIR Oklahoma. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  4. Duffy, Nick (November 4, 2020). "Mauree Turner becomes first non-binary state lawmaker in US history". PinkNews. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  5. Forman, Carmen (June 15, 2020). "House District 88: Democrat faces first primary challenge". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  6. Douglas, Blake (June 30, 2020). "Mauree Turner takes HD 88, Ajay Pittman retains HD 99". NonDoc. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  7. "Oklahoma House of Representatives District 88". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  8. Chamlee, Virginia (November 5, 2020). "Meet Mauree Turner, an Okla. Muslim Person Who Is First Non-Binary Legislator in U.S. History".
  9. Smith, Kelsie (November 5, 2020). "Mauree Turner is the first nonbinary and first Muslim Oklahoma state lawmaker". CNN. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  10. Forman, Carmen (September 17, 2020). "Pete Buttigieg endorses OKC Democrat Mauree Turner". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  11. Formen, Carmen (October 8, 2020). "U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorses OKC legislative candidate".
  12. "US election 2020: Sarah McBride to be first trans state senator". BBC News. November 4, 2020. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
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