The shock death of Texas Congressman Sylvester Turner sent shivers through a city council session in Houston on Wednesday morning.
Turner, 70, died shortly after attending Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday night.
While the details surrounding his death remain unclear, Houston Mayor John Whitmire today revealed to colleagues that Turner had been rushed to the hospital shortly after releasing a video on X.
An emotional Whitmire, who has been a vocal critic of Turner in the past, appeared close to tears as he delivered the sad news.
‘This comes as a shock to everyone. I would ask Houstonians to come together, pray for his family, join us in celebrating this remarkable public servant,’ he said.
Additionally, Turner’s office added that he ‘died peacefully’ in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
Flags have been ordered to fly at half-staff in the Lone Star State’s largest city.
Despite battling a rare cancer in his jaw since before getting elected in November, Turner’s death came as a surprise.
He had been fulfilling his public duties since becoming a US representative in January.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire today revealed to colleagues that Turner had been rushed to the hospital shortly after attending Trump’s speech
Sylvester Turner, 70, died shortly after filming this video. He posted the footage on X shortly before Trump began speaking
Turner rode in the Houston Rodeo parade over the weekend and had been active on social media hours before arriving at the hospital.
He appeared to be in fighting form, taking aim at Donald Trump’s on social media Tuesday night.
‘My message to the current administration for tonight’s State of the Union: ‘Don’t mess with Medicaid,’ he shared in a post that included a video of him alongside a constituent he brought to the speech.
‘I am proud to have Angela Hernandez here from our Congressional district as my guest. She is representing and advocating for her daughter Baislee Garcia who has a rare genetic disorder Chromosome 8p: Inversion/Duplication/Deletion.’
The congressman’s final post continued: ‘Let me be clear: any cuts to Medicaid are a direct attack on families like Angela’s. President Trump and Elon Musk’s push to gut Medicaid is nothing short of a betrayal of the most vulnerable among us. They are playing politics with children’s lives, and I will not stand for it.
In another post he made clear that he would attend the address to represent his constituents.
‘Some are asking whether I will attend the State of the Union … For the people of #TX18, we will be there,’ his account shared.
He recently won the seat vacated by former Rep. Shiela Jackson Lee after she passed away last year.
Like Turner, she also passed away while serving in office.
Turner served as the mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024.
Turner, one of nine children, graduated from University of Houston and Harvard Law.
‘Brenda Gail and I are heartbroken by the passing of my friend Sylvester Turner. We served together in the Texas House, and I had the honor of working alongside him in Congress, even if only for a short time,’ Texas Republican Rep. Brandon Weber wrote on social media mourning the loss.
Turner can be seen hunched over while attending Trump’s remarks
Rep. Sylvester Turner, the former mayor of Houston, has died
Turner, circled in red, can be seen in the House chamber during Trump’s speech on Tuesday night
Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks at the press conference in Houston in 2021
‘He was a devoted public servant who cared deeply for Houstonians. Just last night, we spoke on the House Floor—life is too short. We are praying for his family, friends, and all who are mourning his passing.’
Alabama Democrat Rep. Terri Sewell wrote: ‘I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my colleague, Congressman Sylvester Turner.’
‘He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of service as Mayor of Houston and the Representative for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. May he Rest in Peace.’
