Sylvester Turner, Congressman and Former Houston Mayor, Dies at 70

The Houston City Council stood in recess until 10 a.m. in honor of the longtime public servant.

Then-Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks at a National Urban League event in Houston on July 28, 2023. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for National Urban League

Former Houston mayor and current Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) died at the age of 70, according to family and city officials who mourned his passing.

Turner’s death was announced by John Whitmire, the current Houston mayor, in a March 5 statement on social media.

Whitmire described Turner as a “remarkable public servant” with a humble background who positively impacted millions.

The Houston City Council stood in recess until 10 a.m. in honor of Turner.

His family said he died from “enduring health complications,” but did not provide further details.

Turner was present at President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday night in Washington.

His family said that, during the speech he was taken to a hospital and later released. They said he passed away at home at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday.

“Congressman Turner was the consummate public servant. But to us, he was our beloved father, grandfather, sibling and relative. Thank you for your prayers,” the family said in a statement.

Turner was mayor of Houston for eight years and served in the Texas House of Representatives for 27 years. Several months ago, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Texas’s 18th Congressional District.

Condolences poured in on social media and in public statements.

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

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also took to social media to mourn Turner’s death.

“We’re saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner, who represented Texas’s 18th District,” Johnson stated. “He served his community faithfully, not only as a member of Congress, but as a former state legislator and a mayor of Houston. Our prayers are with his family and constituents as they mourn his loss.”

Other condolences poured in on social media.

The Houston Police Officers’ Union posted on X that Turner’s “unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to improving the lives of Houstonians will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb said he was “devastated” by Turner’s passing.

“He was more than a leader—he was a fighter for his people, a mentor, and a man who never forgot where he came from,” Bibb stated on X. “His impact on Houston and beyond will be felt for generations.”

Some of Turner’s accomplishments as mayor include shepherding a bipartisan package into law that helped address Houston’s rising pension debt. He was also active in the area of police reform.

Speaking at City Hall in Houston on March 5, Whitmire praised Turner as an “outstanding public official” whose loss would be deeply felt.

“Experience matters, folks,“ Whitmire said. ”No one will be able to step into Sylvester’s shoes and carry on his duties because there’s only one Sylvester Turner.”

“I’m a better speaker because of Sylvester,” Whitmire continued. “You just can’t understand what it’s like to be in an African American, a black church on Sunday morning with everyone enjoying the service and have to follow Sylvester Turner speaking.

“He will bring out the best in you in public service.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.