Rep. Chris Turner speaks during Reproductive Health Care Advocacy Day in 2015 Credit: Photo by John Anderson

Texas progressives looking for a little more mettle in state-level Democrats may breathe a sigh of relief with the election of Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, as House Democratic Caucus Leader. Turner has a solid reputation as a political strategist, and came to statewide recognition in 2014 when he ran Sen. Wendy Davis‘ gubernatorial campaign. While Davis failed, Turner was actually her third campaign manager – and the final period of her campaign has been heralded as having its most direction and vigor. Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa called Turner “smart, tactical, and a hard-working fighter for all.” The delegation also voted in Austin Rep. Celia Israel as second vice chair, alongside Eagle Pass Rep. Poncho Nevárez as first vice chair.

This article appears in February 3 • 2017.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.