Texas Representative Sylvester Turner, a first-term Democratic lawmaker, passed away at 70, just hours after attending President Donald Trump’s congressional address. He suffered a medical emergency Tuesday afternoon in a Capitol tunnel and was assisted by Capitol Police. “A remarkable public servant who impacted millions of people,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire stated.

A Life of Public Service Turner, who took office in January, previously served as Houston’s mayor from 2016 to 2024. He led the city through Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic while tackling financial reform and public safety. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described him as an “iconic leader” who “spent decades fighting for the people of Houston.”

Legacy and Final Message Born in Houston’s Acres Homes community, Turner excelled academically, becoming valedictorian before attending Harvard Law. His final social media post highlighted his advocacy: “Don’t mess with Medicaid.” His family remembered him as “the consummate public servant” and “our beloved father, grandfather, sibling, and relative.”