U.S. Congressman and former longtime Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has passed away at the age of 70 due to enduring health complications.
Turner died at 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, just hours after attending former President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, his family confirmed in a statement.
His passing comes only months after winning the race for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. A towering figure in Houston’s history, Turner served as the city’s mayor for eight years following a 27-year tenure in the Texas House of Representatives, where he represented District 139 from 1989 to 2016.
A Legacy of Leadership
“We’ve lost an outstanding public official,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said at City Hall on Wednesday. “Experience matters. No one will be able to step into Sylvester’s shoes because there’s only one Sylvester Turner.”
Born in 1954, Turner was a native Houstonian who grew up in Acres Homes, a predominantly Black neighborhood. He graduated as valedictorian from Klein High School in 1973 before earning a political science degree from the University of Houston in 1977. He later attended Harvard Law School, launching a successful career as an attorney specializing in corporate and commercial law.
During his final year as mayor in 2022, Turner revealed he had been privately battling osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Doctors discovered a tumor on his jaw during a dental visit after he complained of a toothache. However, by the end of that year, he declared himself cancer-free.
Whitmire praised Turner’s oratory skills and presence, recalling how inspiring he was. “I’m a better speaker because of Sylvester,” he said. “Being in a Black church on a Sunday morning and having to follow Sylvester Turner—it will bring out the best in you.”
Transforming Houston
During his mayoral tenure, Turner spearheaded initiatives to improve infrastructure, public safety, and flood prevention. Early in his first term, he demonstrated his readiness to confront Houston’s challenges, guiding the city through multiple federally declared disasters, including Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Turner championed initiatives such as the Vision Zero traffic safety plan, expanded access for pedestrians and cyclists, and a gun buyback program to curb violence.
“As mayor, Sylvester Turner presided over a remarkable period in which Houston’s streets were reimagined to prioritize safety over speed,” said Joe Cutrufo, executive director of the nonprofit BikeHouston. “That was a bold act for any American mayor, but especially for the leader of a historically car-dependent city.”
Despite his many achievements, Turner had a contentious relationship with the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, which clashed with his administration over a longstanding labor dispute. However, the union acknowledged his dedication to public service.
“While our union had a deeply contentious relationship with him, we recognize his decades of service to the city and the country,” the association said in a statement.
A Return to Politics
After briefly retiring from public office in 2024, Turner re-entered the political arena following the passing of longtime Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Running for her vacant seat, he campaigned on police accountability, securing federal disaster relief, and addressing Houston’s cancer clusters. His platform also included tackling gun violence, reducing inequality in public schools, and addressing rising costs of living.
Tributes from Leaders
Following Turner’s passing, local and national leaders paid tribute to his legacy.
“It is hard to put into words the loss of Congressman Sylvester Turner,” said Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee. “For nearly four decades, he devoted his life to public service.”
U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher called Turner the embodiment of Houston’s spirit.
“I am heartbroken and devastated by the loss of this exceptional Houstonian and exceptional human being,” she said. “You could always feel his love for our city and its people.”
Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones described Turner as a “transformational leader whose presence was felt in every neighborhood.”
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa echoed the sentiment: “He was Houston through and through—a Texan who worked hard, lived with courage, and believed in unity over division.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a close governing partner of Turner, reflected on their shared journey.
“We often talked about how amazing it was that a kid from Acres Homes and an immigrant kid could become mayor and county executive of communities as large as Houston and Harris County,” she said. “I loved him and appreciated him.”
Turner leaves behind a lasting legacy of leadership, resilience, and commitment to the people of Houston.