Hmmm, a mixed blessing, this. I too would rather have more 'Pubs in our state delegation, but I think Hall will still have an edge because of name recognition and service. The GOP had better recruit a strong candidate or Hall may eat their lunch for them yet again.
The one thing I can say about Tony Hall is that he is pro-life, and for that I give him credit. Such a stand takes no small measure of courage in a party that remains solidly pro-death. But, other than that, Tony is a party-line Dem, so if a pro-life 'pubbie can get the seat from him, its a net plus, IMO.
I think Turner was recruited (or recruited himself) because you notice the article says they popped his home into the district by stretching the boundary a bit. You are right though. Hall will not be easy to beat. Among other things, he has a relatively moderate voting record (about a 30% conservative rating on economic issues, and 50% on social issues, and fairly liberal on foreign issues). I think he is a devout Christian and pro life. (Not a very good fit for my politics, but whatever.) That is why I put the district into the toss up category.