Power Players features state lawmakers rising through the ranks or making a notable mark on the 87th Texas legislative session. Each week, Capital Tonight will feature an elected official to give you a chance to get to know the person behind the powerful position.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Representative Chris Turner has come a long way since his first session back in 2009. He’s now the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and this session chairs the committee on business and industry. While he has the legislative process down – he says the job itself isn't any easier.

"Some of these challenges that shouldn't be partisan have become inherently partisan and that makes solving problems more challenging," said Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington.

Rep. Turner says it’s the constant learning and the ability to create change that keeps him coming back.

Rep. Chris Turner with his dogs (photo credit: Rep. Chris Turner)
Rep. Chris Turner with his dogs (photo credit: Rep. Chris Turner)

"If you work hard, if you pay attention to details and you're creative, you can actually get a lot done for your district," said Rep. Turner.

There's a lot he's done that he's proud of, like his work with Planned Parenthood and creating the Veterans Cash scratch-off ticket. He says the scratch-off has raised well over $100 million dollars to help Texas Veterans. He's also proud to chair the House Democratic Caucus but admits it can be hard to lead 67 members with different thoughts and opinions from all over the state.

Turner's a lifelong Texan who grew up in Dallas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. His district covers parts of Arlington and Grand Prairie, and he says the diversity of his district is one of the things that makes it special.

Rep. Chris Turner after his college graduation (photo credit: Rep. Chris Turner)
Rep. Chris Turner after his college graduation (photo credit: Rep. Chris Turner)

"We're fortunate that all of those folks have brought with them their culture and their cuisine, and so you can go get the best bowl of pho, and then go to a taqueria to get some excellent tacos."

It's easy for Turner to brag about the food selection in his home district. Which is maybe why he was less impressed with the frozen pizza he gambled on while picking up groceries in Austin.

Rep. Chris Turner on the campaign trail in 2004 (photo credit: Rep. Chris Turner)
Rep. Chris Turner on the campaign trail in 2004 (photo credit: Rep. Chris Turner)

"They had this pizza I hadn't seen before, it said "St. Louis Style Pizza" I said “oh, that's interesting.” You know, all these different regions have different pizza, you have Chicago pizza, New York Pizza. I thought, oh I’ll try St. Louis Pizza. It was terrible. It's like, they don't use mozzarella. They use, I had to google it, it’s called “provel” which is apparently a special mix, and it's just really gooey, it's like cheese-whiz, almost, is what it tastes like," said Turner.

When Turner's not taking on the role of lawmaker or pizza critic, he's spending time with this wife and their three rescue dogs. When the session and pandemic are both behind us Turner says he looks forward to getting on an airplane and going on a trip.

“It doesn’t really matter where,” Turner said.