Democratic Congressman Sylvester Turner of Texas Dead at 70

Democratic U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner of Texas has died two months after taking office and hours after attending President Donald Trump’s address before Congress in Washington, D.C., officials said on Wednesday. He was 70.

Linda Brown, a spokesperson for Turner, said he was taken to a hospital and died at his home on Wednesday morning after being released. His cause of death was not immediately known.

“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,” said House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries in a statement.

Turner was elected in November, filling the seat that had been held by longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who died last July after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In November 2022, Turner revealed he had undergone treatment, including surgery and radiation therapy, earlier that year for bone cancer in his jaw.

Turner served eight years as Houston’s mayor, leading the nation’s fourth-largest city through various challenges, including devastating flooding from Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Before being elected as mayor, Turner served 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives.

Turner’s death comes at a critical time in Congress, with House Republicans having few votes to spare as they look to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda, including extending his 2017 tax cuts. With Turner’s safely Democratic seat vacant, Republicans now control 218 seats to Democrats’ 214, an extra vote of breathing room in the narrowly divided chamber.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Turner’s successor, confirmed the news at Wednesday’s Houston City Council meeting. Turner was working in Washington, D.C., and was taken to a hospital, where he died, Whitmire said.

“This comes as a shock to everyone,” Whitmire said. “I would ask Houstonians to come together, pray for his family, join us in celebrating this remarkable public servant. Celebrate his life, which we will be doing.”

Turner’s death leaves a vacant seat in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, which he won in November 2022. Governor Greg Abbott can call a special election to fill the seat for the rest of Turner’s term. State law does not specify a deadline to call a special election, but if it is called, the election is required to happen within two months of the announcement.

Turner’s death also leaves a vacancy on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he served as a member. This committee is one of the most powerful in the House, with jurisdiction over tax policy, trade, and healthcare. The Democratic Party will need to appoint a replacement to maintain its strength on the committee.

Turner’s passing is a significant loss for the Democratic Party, both in Texas and in the U.S. Congress. As a former mayor of Houston and a long-serving state representative, Turner was an influential figure in Texas politics. His death creates a void in the Democratic Party’s leadership in the state, which may lead to a power struggle among remaining Democratic lawmakers.

In the U.S. Congress, Turner’s absence may impact the House Democrats’ ability to maintain a united front on key issues, as he was a respected and influential member of the party. His death could potentially weaken the Democrats’ position in negotiations and votes on legislation.

Turner’s death also leaves a void in the Democratic Party’s advocacy for healthcare and social welfare programs like Medicaid. As a strong advocate for Medicaid, Turner’s absence may weaken the Democratic voice in advocating for the program and other social welfare initiatives.

In conclusion, the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner has significant implications for the political landscape and power dynamics in Texas and the U.S. Congress. His death creates a vacant seat in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, which could potentially shift the balance of power in the House of Representatives. Additionally, his passing leaves a void in the Democratic Party’s leadership in Texas and weakens the Democrats’ position in the U.S. Congress, potentially impacting their ability to maintain a united front on key issues and advocate for healthcare and social welfare programs.