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Texas Congressman Sylvester Turner has died, one day after attending President Donald Trump’s address, the House Democratic leader confirmed.
The 70-year-old Texas Representative and former mayor of Houston died two months after taking office.
His cause of death is not immediately clear.
“The House Democratic Caucus family is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner. Though he was newly elected to the Congress, Rep. Turner had a long and distinguished career in public service and spent decades fighting for the people of Houston,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement Wednesday.
“Rep. Turner was a fighter until the end – he was present yesterday evening to ensure that the voice of one of his constituents, who relies on Medicaid, was heard. In what would be his final message to his beloved constituents last night he reminded us ‘don’t mess with Medicaid,’” Jeffries said.
The Democrat was elected into Congress in November, two years after announcing he had undergone treatment for bone cancer in his jaw.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire said at a council meeting Wednesday: “This comes as a shock to everyone. I’m going to ask Houstonians to come together. Pray for his family. Join us in celebrating this remarkable public servant. Celebrate his life, which we will be doing.” Flags will be flown at half-staff at city buildings, he added.
Turner graduated from Harvard Law School before serving in the Texas House of Representatives for 27 years. He was then elected mayor in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019.