Representative Sylvester Turner (D-TX) passed away Tuesday night just weeks after being sworn into Congress.
Turner was elected to Congress in November after the death of Rep. Sheila Jackson. He was sworn in in January.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire said Turner was a “remarkable public servant who impacted millions of people. He rose from poverty but never forgot where he came from. It is a terrible loss for the city and a personal loss for me. I ask Houstonians to celebrate his life.”
Prior to his death, Turner criticized possible Medicaid cuts, calling them a “direct attack on families.”
“President Trump and Elon Musk’s push to gut Medicaid is nothing short of a betrayal of the most vulnerable among us,” he wrote on X. “They are playing politics with children’s lives, and I will not stand for it.”
Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) expressed his condolences on X.
“Emily and I are heartbroken by the passing of Former Houston Mayor and United States Congressman Sylvester Turner. His life was a testament to resilience, dedication, and unwavering service,” he shared on social media. “Rising from humble beginnings, he never lost sight of where he came from or the people he served. His leadership shaped the city of Houston and touched the lives of millions.”
Hunt stated that Turner’s passing is “not just a loss for our city but a deeply personal one for me. Just last night, I had the privilege of speaking with him before the President’s address—never imagining it would be our last conversation.”
“Our hearts go out to the Turner family and to all of Houston as we grieve the loss of a man who gave everything to his community. May his legacy continue to inspire us all.”
Turner previously served in the Texas House of Representatives and was Houston’s mayor from 2016 to 2024.
