After years of activism, Turner decided to run for City Council as a member of the Green-Rainbow Party. In this capacity, Turner made several moves to curtail discrimination against minorities.

In 2002, Turner created an ordinance to protect transgendered people from discrimination. He also successfully advocated against a proposal by then-Governor Mitt Romney to cut the state's affirmative action standards.

Turner, in 1999, campaigned for the city councilor seat.