Sylvester Turner, U.S. Congressman and former Houston mayor, dead at 70
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Sylvester Turner, the former mayor of Houston who won election last November to fill late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's seat in District 18, has died. He was 70.
"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," Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who recently attended church with Turner, said.
Whitmire opened Wednesday's council meeting, which paused for an hour of reflection, with remarks about Turner's death. Flags at City Hall have been lowered to half-staff.
"It is with inexpressible sadness that we, the family of Congressman Sylvester Turner, representative for the 18th congressional district of Texas, acknowledge his unexpected passing," his family said in a statement.
Turner posted on X Tuesday night during President Donald Trump's Joint Address to Congress.
"Meet Angela Hernandez, my guest tonight at the Joint Address to Congress. She's from the 18th district in Houston, Texas, and came to advocate for Medicaid services that are vital for her two-year-old daughter, Baislee, who has a rare genetic disorder. Medicaid covered the $23,000 medical bed that the family could not afford," he wrote.
According to his family, Turner was taken to the hospital Tuesday night and later released while in Washington, D.C. At 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, he died at home from enduring health complications, the statement read.
"The Turner family is requesting fervent prayers from all who knew and loved him. We also request the public's respect for our family's privacy as we process this difficult reality. Official communication will come from his staff at the appropriate time. Congressman Turner was the consummate public servant. But to us, he was our beloved father, grandfather, sibling, and relative. Thank you for your prayers," the family's statement continued.
Turner attended Church Without Walls for 35 years.
"When he was the mayor of Houston, I would ask him, 'How do you make your decisions?' He said, 'I weigh all the evidence, and then I walk back to my office, and I pray. When I get my answer, I stand on that.' Faith is important, central, I would say, to who he is as a person," Pastor Ralph Douglas West said.
Turner rarely missed a Sunday service, even while suffering from cancer.
"He didn't pretend that he wasn't battling with something that could terminate his life," Pastor West explained. "Neither did he exercise an artificial faith or spirituality, 'Oh, it's going to be alright, we'll battle till the end.' His proclamation of contending with cancer was, it'll work until the Lord says, 'Well done.'"
Turner served two terms as mayor of the City of Houston.
His tenure ended last January. Ten months later, he ran to fill the seat once held by longtime Congresswoman Jackson Lee, who died of pancreatic cancer in July 2024.
"Sylvester loved Houston. He's a UH alum. He loved Houston. I think it's even more sad for the people who do know and don't know, he would rep it wherever he'd go," Odus Evbagharu with the Harris County Democratic Party told ABC13.
Evbagharu considered Turner a mentor and noted the late Congressman's pride for the area he grew up in, Acres Homes.
Turner's death was announced just days after he made multiple public appearances. Last Saturday, he attended the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade.
As mayor, Turner was a constant force at city events, including the Fourth of July celebration Shell Freedom Over Texas, the Chevron Houston Marathon and annual holiday lighting.
Lawmakers, longtime colleagues, and city leaders expressed their shock and condolences Wednesday.
"My sincere condolences to Ashley and the Turner family. Houston mourns the loss of our servant leader, proud native son, dedicated father, and dear friend. Thank you, Sylvester Turner for all you gave of yourself to serve Houston, Texas, and this nation. We, the people, are all better off because you chose to dedicate yourself to a life of public service. You also advanced the continuous struggle to make this nation as good as its promise of freedom and justice for all," Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said.
"The House Democratic Caucus family is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner. Though he was newly elected to the Congress, Rep. Turner had a long and distinguished career in public service and spent decades fighting for the people of Houston.
A graduate of Harvard Law School, Congressman Turner was an accomplished attorney, going on to open a law firm that remains a mainstay in the community.
For 27 years, Sylvester served in the Texas House of Representatives, where he fought for Houstonians on the pivotal Appropriations Committee and served as Speaker Pro Tem for three terms. For eight years, Sylvester boldly led the city of Houston as its 62nd mayor while serving as a leader within the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the African American Mayors Association.
As the Representative for the 18th Congressional District in Texas, Sylvester followed in the hallowed footsteps of trailblazers like the great Barbara Jordan and our late sister, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
We all stand on the shoulders of these incredible giants and join Texans in mourning the tremendous loss of another iconic leader.
Like those before him, Turner was a fighter until the end. He was present Tuesday evening to ensure that the voice of one of his constituents, who relies on Medicaid, was heard.
Tuesday night, in what would be his final message to his beloved constituents, he reminded us, "Don't mess with Medicaid."
"The entire House Democratic Caucus family is praying for the Turner family and staff, as well as the City of Houston. May he forever rest in power," Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote.
"The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association extends its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of U.S. Representative and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. While our union had a deeply contentious relationship with him, and his decisions had a profound impact on Houston firefighters, we also recognize his decades of service to the city and the country. We offer our sympathies to those mourning his loss," said Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Patrick M. "Marty" Lancton.
"His unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to improving the lives of Houstonians will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time," the Houston Police Officers' Union said in a post on X.
In recent years, Turner has faced health challenges.
He revealed at the State of the City address in 2022 that he had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer the doctors found in his jaw.
On Wednesday, councilmembers remembered Turner.
"He was a giant of a man," Councilmember Edward Pollard said, who shared that Turner helped pay for his law school preparatory classes.
"He was a public official until his final breath, and he went out on his own terms," Pollard added of Turner.
Turner's family said information regarding services will be forthcoming.
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