U.S. Representative Sylvester Turner, a Democrat from Texas and former Houston mayor, passed away Tuesday night at the age of 70, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries confirmed.
Turner, who was elected to replace the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, had a long political career, serving 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives before becoming Houston’s mayor in 2015. Despite battling osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer diagnosed in 2022, he remained active in Congress until his final day, attending Capitol Hill meetings just hours before his passing.
In a heartfelt tribute, Jeffries praised Turner’s dedication to public service, highlighting his commitment to Medicaid advocacy and his lasting impact on Texas politics.