Marjorie Reitz Turnbull

Marjorie Reitz Turnbull was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 4, 1940. She moved to Tallahassee in 1941 and received her master’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1968. Before running for office, she worked at Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Planning for the State of Florida beginning in 1982. She was elected to serve At-Large on the Leon County Commission from 1988-1994. During her tenure, she supported protecting canopy roads as well as construction of a new jail and the permanent downtown Main Library. She was also focused on reducing crime and helped establish the Leon County boot camp for juvenile offenders. Additionally, she voted in favor of a Comprehensive Plan, a 20-year blueprint for growth, and new environmental regulations. She was selected as Board Chair in 1991-1992. She was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1994, becoming the first woman to represent the citizens of Leon County in the State House.