The Nation - News from July 28, 1989

District of Columbia Police Chief Maurice T. Turner announced in a White House ceremony that he is joining the Republican Party, a move GOP strategists said was a prelude to a mayoral bid. President Bush posed with Turner for pictures and said: “The man has been a lifelong Democrat, but he made a principled decision based on what he feels is the best answer to helping solve the problems of urban America. I think we share the same family values.” Sources commenting on condition of anonymity said the chief had been promised campaign support by GOP officials if he would make the race against incumbent Democratic Mayor Marion Barry, whose Administration has been plagued by scandal. The city is overwhelmingly Democratic. Turner, 53, said: “I’m not running for mayor at this time.”