BREAKING: Popular GOP Senator Dies After Tragic Accident

Kentucky State Senator Johnnie Turner, a steadfast advocate for the coal industry and champion for his Appalachian district, has passed away at 76 due to injuries from an accident at his home. Last month, Turner sustained these injuries after a fall into an empty swimming pool while riding a lawn mower.

A Republican hailing from Harlan, Turner was widely respected for his approachable nature, which earned him the admiration of both his constituents and colleagues. He passed on Tuesday evening following what Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers called a “hard-fought battle” with his injuries, as CBS News reported on Wednesday.

“Johnnie spent his life lifting others — whether through his service in the U.S. Army, as a member of the State House of Representatives and State Senate, or in his private legal practice,” Stivers noted in a statement shared by CBS.

Stivers also emphasized Turner’s dedication to his district, saying, “His unwavering commitment to the people of eastern Kentucky — his constituents, brothers and sisters in Christ, whom he so fondly referred to as ‘his people’ — was at the heart of everything he did.”

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell recalled meeting Turner during a visit to flood-stricken areas in eastern Kentucky, according to the outlet.

“Johnnie was on the scene, ankle-deep in mud, his equipment from home in tow, ready to help folks in Letcher County,” McConnell stated on Wednesday. “That’s just who he was: a good man who loved the mountains and its people.”

Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer expressed sorrow at Turner’s passing.

“He was just an amazing man of the mountains, who is kind and generous and open-minded about supporting initiatives that were good for the entire state while at the same time being a fierce advocate for his region,” Thayer said during an interview with local media.

Throughout his career, Turner supported pro-coal legislation and other measures benefiting his Appalachian district, which spans several counties in eastern Kentucky. Once a major economic driver in the region, coal employment has dropped sharply in the last decade due to falling natural gas prices and tighter environmental regulations.

In August, Turner voiced his concerns about the coal industry’s future in a WYMT interview. “This government trying to kill the coal industry — it ain’t going to happen in Kentucky, it just ain’t going to happen,” he told the station.

Thayer also noted Turner’s broader vision, pointing out that Turner backed a bill to legalize wagering on historical horse racing machines, a significant revenue source for Kentucky racetracks. Although the vote was challenging due to his district’s socially conservative values, Turner took a stand.

“He told me that he saw what happened to the coal industry in eastern Kentucky, and he didn’t want to see another leading industry — in this case, the horse industry — have the same thing happen to it,” Thayer said. “I really appreciate his courage on that.”

Turner served in the Kentucky House from 1999 to 2002, where he gained a reputation as a “passionate voice for eastern Kentucky,” according to House Speaker David Osborne. Osborne added, “We are saddened by his loss, but know that his legacy will live on in those he helped.”

An attorney by profession, Turner was elected to the state Senate in 2020 after defeating a Democratic incumbent who shared his surname. Earlier this year, he secured victory in the Republican primary against two challengers.

Born on Christmas Eve in 1947, Turner was a Harlan County native who served in the U.S. Army in the Panama Canal Zone from 1967 to 1969, where he met his wife, Maritza, as reported by WYMT.

Turner’s name will still appear on the ballot for the upcoming general election, given the timing of his death, as confirmed by the secretary of state’s office. His sole challenger, an independent, has recently exited the race. Write-in candidates have until Friday to file for the position; otherwise, a special election will be held to fill the seat, CBS reported.