Rep. Sylvester Turner, a Texas Democrat lawmaker and former Houston mayor, passed away Tuesday night at the age of 70, according to family and officials.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced Turner’s passing in a statement on social media on March 5.
Whitmire described Turner as a “remarkable public servant” who rose from humble beginnings to make a lasting impact on millions of lives.
In Turner’s honor, the Houston City Council recessed until 10 a.m. Wednesday.
His family confirmed that he passed away due to “enduring health complications” but did not provide further details.
Turner had attended former President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday night in Washington. According to his family, he was taken to a hospital during the speech but was later released. He passed away at home at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Turner, who previously served as Houston’s mayor, was elected to Congress to succeed the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away in July of last year.
Before his tenure in Congress, Turner spent 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives. He was elected as Houston’s mayor in 2015 and won re-election in 2019.
A Legacy of Leadership
Houston Mayor John Whitmire expressed deep sorrow over Turner’s passing, saying, “We’ve lost an exceptional public servant. No one can truly fill Sylvester’s shoes—there was only one.”
Born in Houston’s Acres Homes neighborhood in 1954, Turner excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian from Klein High School. He went on to earn a political science degree from the University of Houston before attending Harvard Law School. His career as an attorney specializing in corporate and commercial law eventually led him to public service.
Turner revealed in 2022 that he had been battling osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, after doctors discovered a tumor on his jaw during a routine dental visit. Later that year, he announced he was cancer-free.
A Return to Public Office
After stepping down as mayor in 2023, Turner briefly retired before deciding to run for Congress following Jackson Lee’s passing. His campaign centered on police accountability, hurricane recovery efforts, and addressing environmental and health concerns in Houston’s Fifth Ward.
Turner also advocated for stronger gun control measures, public education reform, and economic policies aimed at reducing the cost of living.
Tributes from Texas Leadership
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also honored Turner, calling him “a man of character who dedicated more than 36 years to serving Texans.”
“From his time as a State Representative, to his years as Houston’s mayor, and finally as a member of Congress, Sylvester Turner leaves behind a lasting legacy of public service. He will be greatly missed, and our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Abbott said.
Turner’s office has not yet released an official statement regarding his passing.
This story is developing. Updates will follow as more details emerge.
U.S. Congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has passed away at the age of 70 following ongoing health challenges, his family confirmed.
Turner died early Wednesday morning, just hours after attending former President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.
His passing comes only months after he was elected to represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District, succeeding the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Turner was a towering figure in Houston’s political landscape, serving as the city’s mayor for eight years and spending 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives.
