Scott Turner (politician)

**Eric Scott Turner** (born February 26, 1972) is an American businessman, motivational speaker, Republican politician, and former professional football player who has been the 19th and current United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development since 2025 under the second Donald Trump administration.

Turner was the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during the first Donald Trump administration. Turner was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017. Before entering politics, Turner was an American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons between 1995 and 2003.

In November 2024, President-elect Trump announced his plans to name Turner as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in his second administration. He was confirmed by the United States Senate in February 2025.

## Early life

Turner was born in Richardson, Texas and grew up in the Dallas area. He played football and ran track in high school.

Turner studied at the University of Illinois. In football, he played as a wide receiver and became a cornerback later on.
He earned All-Big Ten honors, He graduated in 1995.

## Football career

Turner was drafted in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. He played cornerback for the Redskins from 1995 to 1997. He then played four seasons, from 1998 to 2002, for the San Diego Chargers.

Turner signed with the Denver Broncos in 2003. A leg injury in 2004 during training camp ended his professional football career.

## Texas House of Representatives

After his football career, Turner worked as an intern for Congressman Duncan Hunter. He later worked full-time in the congressman's office. In 2006, he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in California during a special election to replace Duke Cunningham. He lost the election. After losing the election, Turner moved back to Frisco, Texas.

In 2012, Turner successfully ran for the Texas House of Representatives as a Republican. He unsuccessfully ran for speaker of the state house in 2015. He decided not to run for re-election in 2016.

After leaving the state house, President Trump hired Turner as the director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.

## Business career

From 2007 to 2023, Turner worked at Systemware, a software company. Turner is the founder and president of Community Engagement & Opportunity Council (CEOC), which helps children who are living in poverty. Turner and his wife, Robin Turner, own Statesman Clothiers, a custom men’s clothing company.

## U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

On November 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump picked Turner to be his Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for his second administration.

Turner appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on January 16, 2025. The committee approved his nomination in a 13–11 vote on January 23. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 5, 2025 by a 55 to 44 vote. He was sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas that same day.

## Personal life

Turner married Robin Turner in 1995, having met in college. The couple raised his nephew, Solomon, together.

Turner is an associate Baptist pastor.

## Other websites

- 2006 campaign website
- House profile

## Infobox (nfl biography)

- **embed**: yes
- **number**: 29, 21
- **position**: Cornerback
- **height ft**: 5
- **height in**: 10
- **weight lbs**: 180
- **high school**: J. J. Pearce (Richardson)
- **college**: Illinois Fighting Illini football, Illinois (1991–1994)
- **draftyear**: 1995
- **draftround**: 7
- **draftpick**: 226
- **teams**: * Washington Redskins (1995–1996)
* San Diego Chargers (1998–2001)
* Denver Broncos (2003)
- **pfr**: TurnSc20


## Infobox (officeholder)

- **name**: Scott Turner
- **image**: Scott Turner, official portrait (2025).jpg
- **caption**: Official portrait, 2025
- **office**: 19th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- **president**: Donald Trump
- **term start**: February 5, 2025
- **predecessor**: Marcia Fudge
- **office1**: Executive Office of the President of the United States, Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council
- **president1**: Donald Trump
- **term start1**: April 4, 2019
- **term end1**: January 20, 2021
- **predecessor1**: _Position established_
- **successor1**: _Position abolished_
- **state house2**: Texas
- **district2**: 33rd
- **term start2**: January 8, 2013
- **term end2**: January 9, 2017
- **predecessor2**: Raul Torres
- **successor2**: Justin Holland
- **birth name**: Eric Scott Turner
- **birth place**: Richardson, Texas, U.S.
- **party**: Republican Party (United States), Republican
- **education**: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Bachelor of Arts, BA)
- **signature**: Scott Turner Signature.png