U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner passed away on Tuesday evening. He was 70 years old and had just started his first term in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, a seat previously held by Sheila Jackson Lee, a close ally of Turner.
Turner, a Democrat from Houston, had revealed in 2022 that he was recovering from bone cancer but was now cancer-free. Before his time in Congress, he served as the mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024 and spent 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives.
Following Turner’s passing, Texas Governor Greg Abbott can call a special election to fill the vacant congressional seat. State law allows the election to occur within two months of the announcement, although it does not set a specific deadline for calling the election.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire confirmed the news during a City Council meeting. He mentioned that Turner had been working in Washington, D.C., when he was hospitalized and later died there.
“This news is shocking,” Whitmire said. He urged Houstonians to unite, pray for Turner’s family, and celebrate his life and dedication to public service.
Despite differing views on some political matters, Whitmire expressed a close bond with Turner, stating they had shared many experiences throughout their time in the Texas Legislature.
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows also expressed his sorrow, highlighting Turner’s long record of public service, which spanned from the state legislature to Houston City Hall and the U.S. Capitol. “His legacy of leadership continues to impact the Houston community,” Burrows noted, extending condolences to Turner’s family and friends.
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