Oklahoma State Rep. Mauree Turner Not Seeking Reelection

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Oklahoma’s House District 88 Representative Mauree Turner announced on Wednesday that they will not seek reelection. The 2024 election cycle will host a slate of offices, including state House and Senate positions. Turner cites recent health diagnoses as contributing factors to their decision.

“I always told you I would stay your representative as long as you keep voting me in and my body would withstand it,” Turner said in a press release. “Unfortunately, the latter has come sooner than expected.”

Running in Turner’s place is their current legislative assistant Nicole Maldonado.

Turner was first elected in 2020. They made history as the first non-binary state representative elected in the US. Additionally, they are the only Muslim representative in the Oklahoma legislature. 

Before aspiring to state office, Turner worked with several advocacy groups. They have previous experience with the ACLU where they worked as the Campaign for Smart Justice regional field organizer. Turner has also volunteered with several state organizations, including the NAACP, Cair Oklahoma, and Freedom Oklahoma. 

Garnering Campaign Support

Canvassing is a rite of passage for those seeking an elected office. From door-knocking to call banking, these actions help to spread campaign awareness. Turner’s platform revolved around criminal justice reform, healthcare integration, public education, and increasing the state’s minimum wage. 

During the June 2020 primaries, Turner secured the democratic slot with 52.1% of the vote. Support followed them to the general election, where they defeated Republican candidate Kelly Barlean with more than 5000 votes. 

Once in office, they stood firm on their policies of accountability and transparency. Turner’s advocacy started at an early age when they would join their mother at HIV/AIDS conferences or LGBTQ+ workshops. They carried these values with them into the House District 88 office.

Turner Takes Office

Turner has authored legislation that sought to decriminalize HIV/AIDS-positive individuals. Currently, Oklahomans living with HIV can be penalized in several circumstances. Those who fail to disclose their status to sexual partners can face a felony charge and HIV-positive sex workers face enhanced charges. 

Continuing their advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, Turner has also filed bills to better the lives of trans, non-binary, and two-spirit Oklahomans. House Bill 4145 seeks to prohibit proof of surgery requirements to obtain a gender marker change on driver’s licenses. In 2023, they also ran HB 2342, which would repeal a law that makes it difficult to change your legal name. 

Criminal justice reform efforts have been common throughout Turner’s time in office. In this year’s legislative session, they ran HB 2345, which seeks to do away with interrogation polygraph tests. The state of Oklahoma places the cost of these examinations on the individuals taking them. According to the American Psychological Association, there is little evidence that supports the effectiveness of polygraph tests. 

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Promoting Votings Rights

Oklahoma complicates voting rights for those awaiting trial or with a felony status. Turner has introduced legislation requiring coordination between the Department of Corrections and the election board. This would ensure that those previously incarcerated are informed when their voting status is reinstated.

In Oklahoma, felons are allowed to vote once their sentence is completed. However, early release can cause confusion. If someone is sentenced to 15 years but only serves 10, they can vote once the 15 years is complete. To maximize voting rights, Turner wants the formerly incarcerated to be made aware of when they’re eligible to vote again. 

They also proposed a bill that would provide absentee ballots to those awaiting trial in a municipal or county jail. 

A Community Member and True Advocate

In addition to standing up for what they believe in the state’s most powerful building, Turner is a valued member of the community they represent. 

They often engage in educational workshops or participate in organized protests for issues they care about. In 2022, they spoke at Oklahoma City’s Earth Fest, a local event commemorating Earth Day. 

Turner has also advocated for queer youth following the passing of 2SLGBTQ+ high school student Nex Benedict. At a march held for Benedict outside the state capitol, Turner offered words of comfort to those attending. “Our liberation will not come from policy in this building,” they said. “We hold that in community with each other every day, even on days where it’s hard to wake up and get out of bed.”

In an Instagram post announcing their decision to not run in the 2025 election cycle Turner left a glimmer of hope. “[A]lways remember that community organizing is also answering a call to action. So, who knows, I may be back one day all you have to do is ask.”