Updated Mar 5, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Freshman Rep. Sylvester Turner dies at 70

Andrew Solender

Rep. Sylvester Turner wearing a blue suit and reaching out his hand to a congressional staffer in a white and brown wooden room. — Rep-elect Sylvester Turner draws his number during the office lottery draw at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 21, 2024. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas), a freshman from Houston sworn into Congress just two months ago, has passed away at 70 years old, two of Turner's colleagues confirmed to Axios.

What they're saying: "I'm just overwhelmed. When I heard it, I fell to my knees. I can't believe it," Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) said of Turner's passing in a phone interview.

"We were on the floor together last night. You never know for whom the bell will toll next," Green said. "I'm a little full from losing my friend."
Turner's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Semafor was first to report the news of his death.

Zoom out: Turner served as a Texas state legislator from 1989 to 2016, and then as mayor of Houston until 2024.

After Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) died last July, her daughter was elected to finish her term, but Turner won the regular election for the 2025-26 term.

What happened: Houston Mayor John Whitmire said Turner died after being hospitalized in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday night, according to the Texas Tribune.

He had posted a video of himself to his X account on Tuesday evening featuring his guest to President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress later that night.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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Freshman Rep. Sylvester Turner dies at 70

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