Sylvester Turner, the Houston Mayor and Democratic Congressman, passed away at age 70 on Wednesday, his office confirmed. The former Houston Mayor, known for his bipartisan leadership and dedication to public service, died peacefully, though no cause of death was disclosed. Turner’s decades-long career included transformative work as a congressman, Houston Mayor, and advocate for marginalized communities.

Sylvester Turner’s Political Career as Houston Mayor

During his eight years as Houston Mayor, Sylvester Turner prioritized disaster recovery, affordable housing, and infrastructure equity. His leadership during crises like Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic earned bipartisan praise. Before becoming Houston Mayor, Turner spent 27 years in the Texas House, shaping budgets to uplift underserved neighborhoods.

From Congressman to Houston Mayor: A Life of Service

After retiring as Houston Mayor, Turner returned to politics in 2024 to fill the congressional seat of the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Endorsed by Jackson Lee’s family, he vowed to continue her fight for federal resources, healthcare access, and flood prevention—a promise rooted in his legacy as Houston Mayor.

Sylvester Turner’s Health Battles and Advocacy

In 2022, Turner revealed a bone cancer diagnosis but declared himself cancer-free later that year. Despite health challenges, he remained active, attending President Biden’s State of the Union address just one day before his death. As Houston Mayor and congressman, Turner championed Medicaid expansion, notably inviting a Houston mother whose child relied on Medicaid to the event.

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Legacy of Sylvester Turner: Bipartisan Leadership

Colleagues mourned Turner’s sudden passing, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling him a “principled public servant.” Even amid recent GOP electoral wins, the former Houston Mayor remained optimistic. At a Houston Black American Democrats event, he urged unity: “We only lose if we fail to use what we have.”

Remembering Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

Residents praised Turner’s hands-on governance. As Houston Mayor, he launched job programs, expanded flood-control funding, and navigated crises like winter storm power outages. His congressional office highlighted his unwavering focus on equity, calling his death a “terrible loss for the city.”

This story has been updated with additional details. CNN’s Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.

• City of Houston’s Tribute to Sylvester Turner (official statement).
• CNN Obituary for Sylvester Turner (authoritative coverage).