Eric Scott Turner was born on February 26, 1972, in Richardson, Texas. As a child, he attended Mount Pisgah Baptist Community Church. He later attended J.J. Pearce High School, where he excelled in multiple sports, including football and track and field. In 1990, Turner enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, competing in both football and track and field. He graduated in 1995 with a degree in speech communications.

That same year, Turner was selected in the seventh round of the National Football League’s draft by the Washington Redskins. He played as a cornerback for the Redskins from 1995 to 1997 before joining the San Diego Chargers from 1998 to 2001. After a brief stint with the Denver Broncos in 2003, a leg injury during training camp in 2004 ended Turner’s professional football career.

During his time in the NFL, Turner spent off-seasons interning for Congressman Duncan Hunter of California. After retiring from football in 2004, he transitioned into politics, working full time for Congressman Hunter. In 2006, he ran as a Republican for California’s 50th congressional district but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Following the election, Turner returned to Texas and settled in Frisco. He worked at Systemware, a content management software company, until 2023, serving as Chief Inspiration Officer, where he mentored employees and the executive team. He also served as an associate pastor at the Prestonwood Baptist Church.

In 2012, Turner ran successfully to represent the newly created 33rd district in the Texas House of Representatives. That same year, GOPAC named him to its list of emerging leaders in the Republican Party. During his tenure in the Texas legislature, Turner focused on education reform, economic development, and fiscal responsibility. He served two consecutive terms before choosing not to seek reelection in 2017.

In April 2019, President Donald Trump appointed Turner as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. In this role, he led efforts to revitalize economically distressed communities through the Opportunity Zones initiative, working with federal agencies and local governments to stimulate investment and development.

After his tenure in the White House, Turner founded and served as CEO of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council (CEOC), which focuses on revitalizing communities through sports, mentorship, and economic opportunity. He also became chair of the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, advocating for educational reforms and increased opportunities for students nationwide.

In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Turner as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Senate confirmed Turner on February 5, 2025, by a vote of 55-44.