Turner beats challenger Gillim after ethics probe

House Speaker Pro Tem Eric Turner has won his primary battle just a week after being cleared in an ethics investigation stemming from his lobbying against a proposed nursing home ban.

Turner beat Sheridan architect Parvin Gillim in Tuesday's Republican primary.

A House ethics panel decided last week that Turner did not violate any ethics rules when he lobbied to kill the proposed construction ban. But the panel said his actions showed a need for new ethics rules.

Turner owns part of Mainstreet Property Group, which develops and sells nursing homes. The proposed ban could have cost his family business millionsof dollars.

Turner says he was simply offering his expertise on the issue.

Turner has represented House District 32 for the past 20 years and 24 total years.