A new Democratic lawmaker had a message for Donald Trump about reducing Medicaid for everyday Americans, which he widely distributed prior to the president’s Tuesday night primetime speech.
A few hours later, 70-year-old Texas Representative Sylvester Turner, who had recently battled bone cancer, died.
Turner’s cause of death is unknown. He was a former Houston mayor and longtime state representative who recently succeeded the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Turner announced in 2022 that he had completed treatment for bone cancer and was cancer-free.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who took over as mayor after Turner resigned earlier this year to join Congress, told the Houston City Council meeting Wednesday morning that Turner was taken to a hospital in Washington and died.
“This is shocking to everyone,” Whitmire said. “I would like to invite Houstonians to come together, pray for his family, and join us in honoring this remarkable public servant. “We will celebrate his life.”
Turner planned to attend President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress at the Capitol on Tuesday evening, and NBC News reported that several lawmakers saw or spoke with their freshman colleague before the speech began. Turner had posted on X shortly before the speech started, introducing his guest and urging Republicans to “don’t mess with Medicaid.”
Several members of Congress from both parties expressed their condolences on social media for his death and his commitment to public service.
“Brenda Gail and I are heartbroken by the passing of my friend Sylvester Turner,” said Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas. “He was a dedicated public servant who deeply cared about Houstonians. Just last night, we spoke on the House Floor—life is too short.”
Democrats in the United States Capitol mourned the loss on Wednesday.
Turner’s death was described by California Rep. Pete Aguilar, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, as tragic. “He wasn’t here long, but his impact will be felt by everyone,” Aguilar told USA TODAY.
He stated that leaders are not concerned with what Turner’s death means for the party’s standing in the House. Republicans have a slim majority.
“We aren’t too concerned about that today. Our focus is simply thinking about him, his accomplishments for the people of Houston and Texas, and the community he represented. Aguilar said. “We’ll let Texas law speak to filling the vacancy. In the meantime, we’ll all continue to honor his legacy by doing things like this and focusing on policy, particularly policy that benefits people. That’s all he cared about.”
Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell, a fellow member of the Congressional Black Caucus, stated that “all of us are reeling” from the news.
“He may have only been a colleague for a short time, but he’s made such an indelible impression on our caucus,” Sewell said. “He was an incredible mayor.” Sheila Jackson Lee’s footsteps are difficult to follow. He filled them and left his own imprint, and we will miss him.
Rodney Ellis, a Harris County Commissioner in Houston, said he was devastated by Turner’s death.
Ellis had known Turner since they were teenagers living in the Houston area. Ellis stated that the two students were on competing debate teams from different high schools.
“He was known as a great closer, and so I would try and avoid him at debate tournaments,” Ellis joked.
They reunited after both men graduated from law school, returned to Houston, and were elected to the state legislature.
“We carried numerous legislative proposals together, covered one another’s backs, stirred up a lot of good trouble together, made some differences,” Ellis informed the crowd.
Ellis said he had planned to visit Turner at his D.C. office on Tuesday, but when he realized it was the day of Trump’s address, he decided to reschedule his trip. He had his final conversation with Turner on Monday.
“It’s simply a great loss. “I’m just shocked.”
