The city of Houston and the nation are mourning the loss of Congressman Sylvester Turner.
Turner, who previously served two terms as Houston’s mayor, passed away while working in Washington, D.C., at 70. Current Houston Mayor John Whitmire confirmed the news Wednesday, announcing that flags at City Hall would be flown at half-staff in his honor.
In November, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, stepping into the seat previously held by Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away in July. His transition to Congress followed an illustrious career in local and state politics.
According to his X account, Turner attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union last night.
Turner’s public service journey began long before his time in Congress. Born and raised in Houston, he defied the odds as a young man, earning a scholarship to the University of Houston and later graduating from Harvard Law School.
His political career began in 1989 when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. Over nearly 27 years, he became known for his commitment to economic development, public safety, and education reform.
After two unsuccessful bids for mayor in 1991 and 2003, Turner’s persistence paid off when he was elected as Houston’s 62nd mayor in 2015. During his two terms, he led the city through major challenges, including Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
We extend our condolences to Turner’s family, colleagues, and those touched by his leadership. May his legacy of service live on.
