Senator Ross Turner is a conservative South Carolina Republican who proudly represents District 8, which includes many of the citizens living in Greenville, Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Fountain Inn.
Ross was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Management from Clemson University in 1986. Upon graduation, he worked as a Claims Adjustor for Travelers Insurance.
In 1989, he joined his father at The Turner Agency, Inc., where today he is proud to be a small business owner and president of the agency that has served South Carolina and beyond since 1962. Ross has over 38 years of experience in the independent insurance industry and holds the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).
In 2012, Ross ran successfully for the District 8 Seat in the South Carolina State Senate, where he has served since 2013. Today he serves on the following committees: Finance, Banking and Insurance, Education, Corrections and Penology, and Labor, Commerce & Industry. He also serves as an appointed member of the State Infrastructure Bank and is a member of the Education Oversight Committee.
As a state Senator, Ross has received the Roger Milliken Defender of Industry Award, the South Carolina Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year, and the 2024 American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina Legislator of the Year.
During his tenure in the South Carolina Senate, Ross has successfully worked on a number of critical issues for the state. His focus includes:
- Education
- State Transportation Infrastructure
- Economic Development
- Our families and businesses
- Protecting our natural resources
Ross is an alumni member of Leadership Greenville and Leadership South Carolina. He has served on the Board of Trustees for The Peace Center of Greenville and many other boards,including YMCA Camp Greenville, the Upstate Judicial Merit Selection Committee, and the Greenville Clemson Club. He was president of the JL Mann Booster Club and volunteered with several PTA organizations.
Ross received the 2013 Hayne Glover Independent Agent of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of South Carolina in recognition for outstanding community service and contributing to the betterment of the insurance industry. His insurance agency was awarded the Better Business Bureau Business of Integrity Award, the Safeco Insurance Make More Happen award for community service and has been named one of the Top 25 Best Places to Work by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.
He and his wife, Julie, are the parents of Clay (Courtney), Carey, and Ellis; and delight in their two grandchildren. Ross and his family are members of Buncombe Street Methodist Church where he has taught Sunday School, coached basketball, served on the Board of Trustees as The Sisk Foundation Chairman, and as Chairman of the Youth Board. He loves the outdoors and wishes he had more time to play golf and hunt.