Turner files for new house seat

MAT-SU -- Valley resident Jim Turner threw his hat in the ring in the race for House District 13 last week.

Turner, a Palmer Chamber of Commerce board member, former assemblyman and former president of the Fishhook Community Council, said he believes his past and present community service makes him a good candidate for the seat.

"As an experienced advocate for District 13 voters, I can 'hit the ground

running' in Juneau for effective representation," Turner wrote in a press release announcing his candidacy. "I'm the candidate for 'positive progress' and will bring a can-do attitude to

District 13 issues."

Turner is the second to file for the newly created House 13 district, which roughly encompasses the area from Hatcher Pass to the Parks Highway and from Palmer to the Seward-Meridian Parkway. Nancy Campbell filed for the seat in December.

Valley roads and improved infrastructure, together with strong education for Valley youth and positive economic progress, top Turner's list of concerns for Valley voters.

"While many people talk about the fiscal gap, I believe a workable spending limit will do more to restore the voters' faith that our state government can live within its means," Turner wrote. "We need to address the issue."

Turner was born and raised in the Valley and owns and operates Hatcher Pass Gateway Center, near his Hatcher Pass home where he lives with his wife and two sons. In addition to his other community service, Turner is a past president of the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau, a past supervisor of the Fishhook Volunteer Fire Department and, in his youth, volunteered as a member of the Hatcher Pass Ski Patrol.

Campbell and Turner are the first to file for the new House seat. The filing deadline for candidacy is 5 p.m. June 1.