Turner was elected in 1876 to represent the ninth district of Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding Republican John D. White. After being re-elected in 1878, he was defeated by in 1880 by his predecessor, White.
In 1876, Turner won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's ninth district, replacing Republican John D. White. He was re-elected in 1878 but ultimately lost his position in 1880 to White.