Texas Democratic Rep Sylvester Turner Dead at Age 70

Texas Rep. Sylvester Turner, a prominent Democratic lawmaker and former mayor of Houston, passed away Tuesday night at the age of 70, according to reports.

Turner, who had taken over the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s congressional seat, leaves behind a legacy as a dedicated public servant. He served an impressive 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives before becoming the mayor of Houston in 2015, a post he held for two terms.

Just hours before his passing, Turner was seen on Capitol Hill preparing for President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. Despite battling osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer diagnosed in 2022, Turner continued to fight for his constituents until the very end.

In a heartfelt tribute, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., praised Turner’s dedication and legacy: “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.”

Jeffries also highlighted Turner’s final act of advocacy, ensuring that the voice of a constituent reliant on Medicaid was heard. Turner, in his last message, reminded everyone: “Don’t mess with Medicaid.”

Turner’s office has yet to release an official statement on his passing. His death marks the loss of another beloved leader for the Houston and Texas communities.

This is a developing story. Updates will follow.