Representative Sylvester Turner from Texas passed away at the age of 70
5 march 2025 в 23:37
Representative Sylvester Turner, a Democrat from Texas, passed away on March 4, 2025 at the age of 70, shortly after Donald Trump’s speech in Congress. Turner, who was 70 years old, had taken office as the representative of the 18th congressional district of Texas in January 2025.
House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries reacted to the news of his colleague’s death in a statement, saying: «The Democratic family of the House is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner. Although he was recently elected to Congress, Turner had a long and distinguished career in public service and fought for the residents of Houston for decades… Like those who came before him, Turner was a fighter to the very end — he was present last night to ensure that the voice of one of his constituents, dependent on Medicaid, was heard. In his final message to his beloved constituents, he reminded us: 'hands off Medicaid'».
Learn more about Turner’s political career, health, and death below.
Turner had been involved in politics for decades, serving in the Texas House of Representatives from 1989 to 2016, when he became the Mayor of Houston. A native of the city, Turner was the mayor before becoming the U.S. representative for the 18th congressional district of Texas.
The late Democrat left behind a daughter, Ashley, whom he shared with his ex-wife Cheryl Turner.
Turner served as the Mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024. When his eight-year term as mayor ended in 2024, he announced his Democratic candidacy to fill the seat of the late Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away in 2024.
On March 4, 2025, Turner began to feel unwell while working in the Cannon House Office Building, but received medical assistance, according to NBC News. Reports indicated that Capitol Police assisted the representative, and Turner was able to attend Trump’s speech before Congress that evening. An unnamed Democrat claimed to have noticed Turner experiencing a «medical emergency», - according to NBC.
It is unclear what caused the medical emergency for Turner.
Approximately two years before his death, Turner announced that he had been diagnosed with a form of bone cancer in 2022. He underwent surgery to combat the condition, as well as several weeks of radiation therapy
House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries reacted to the news of his colleague’s death in a statement, saying: «The Democratic family of the House is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner. Although he was recently elected to Congress, Turner had a long and distinguished career in public service and fought for the residents of Houston for decades… Like those who came before him, Turner was a fighter to the very end — he was present last night to ensure that the voice of one of his constituents, dependent on Medicaid, was heard. In his final message to his beloved constituents, he reminded us: 'hands off Medicaid'».
Learn more about Turner’s political career, health, and death below.
Turner had been involved in politics for decades, serving in the Texas House of Representatives from 1989 to 2016, when he became the Mayor of Houston. A native of the city, Turner was the mayor before becoming the U.S. representative for the 18th congressional district of Texas.
The late Democrat left behind a daughter, Ashley, whom he shared with his ex-wife Cheryl Turner.
Turner served as the Mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024. When his eight-year term as mayor ended in 2024, he announced his Democratic candidacy to fill the seat of the late Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away in 2024.
On March 4, 2025, Turner began to feel unwell while working in the Cannon House Office Building, but received medical assistance, according to NBC News. Reports indicated that Capitol Police assisted the representative, and Turner was able to attend Trump’s speech before Congress that evening. An unnamed Democrat claimed to have noticed Turner experiencing a «medical emergency», - according to NBC.
It is unclear what caused the medical emergency for Turner.
Approximately two years before his death, Turner announced that he had been diagnosed with a form of bone cancer in 2022. He underwent surgery to combat the condition, as well as several weeks of radiation therapy
© Artemenko Olga
