Government
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & KEVIN VU
Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner died at 70 years old on March 5 in Washington, D.C. Turner was visiting the state capitol to watch President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress at the time, and according to a statement from his family, he was taken to the hospital after the address on March 4. He later died in his Washing- ton, D.C. home at 5:45 a.m. after “enduring health complications.” Looking back Turner was a native Houston resident and served his hometown as a public servant. He was born in Acres Homes in 1954, a historic neighborhood that was once considered to be the South’s largest unincorporated African American community, according to Visit Houston. He went on to receive his high school diploma from Klein High School, a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Houston and a doctorate from Harvard Law School. Turner then served in the Texas House of Representatives for 27 years, spent 21 years on the House Committee on Appropriations and six years as speaker pro tempore before serving as Houston’s Mayor, according to his campaign website. His nal role was serving as the Democratic chair for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Turner was in his rst term as congressman after replacing former Houston icon Sheila Jackson Lee in November, who died from pancreatic cancer. Sylvester Turner dies, leaves lasting legacy in Houston
Gov. Greg Abbott said Turner left behind a “legacy of service” to all of Texas. “Congressman Turner was a man of character who served his fellow Texans for more than 36 years,” he said. In their own words After his death was announced in early March, several Houston and Harris County leaders shared their memories and thoughts on Turner’s life. Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis thanked Turner in a March 5 statement for all he gave to serve Houston and the state of Texas. “We, the people, are all better o because you chose to dedicate yourself to a life of public service,” Ellis said. “You also advanced the continuous struggle to make this nation as good as its promise of freedom and justice for all.” Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said Turner’s passing is a tremendous loss. “Sylvester Turner was a mentor, a friend and a partner in delivering progress,” Briones said. “He didn’t just serve—he united. He didn’t just lead—he inspired. He knew that real change doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens when people come together, roll up their sleeves and do the hard work. And that’s exactly what we did.” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said he and Turner were a “tremendous in uence” on each other. “We’ve lost an outstanding public o cial,” he said. “No one will be able to step into Sylvester’s shoes and carry on his duties because there’s only one Sylvester Turner.” Final takeaways As of press time, Abbott had not called a special election to ll Turner’s empty seat in Congress. However, he missed the deadline to call for a May election. Abbott can now wait until November or hold an emergency election beforehand.
Sylvester Turner 1954-2025
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September 27, 1954: Born in Acres Homes, Texas 1973: Graduated from Klein High School 1976: Graduated from the University of Houston 1980: Received his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School 1983: Co-founded the Barnes & Turner Law Firm in Houston 1988: Elected to the Texas House of Representatives 2003: Became the speaker pro tempore in the Texas House 2015-2024: Served two terms as Mayor of Houston 2024: Selected as the U.S. Representative for the 18th Texas District March 5, 2025: Died in Washington, D.C.
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SOURCE: SYLVESTER TURNER CAMPGAIN COMMUNITY IMPACT
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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION
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