It is with great sadness that fellow House Democrats have announced the passing of first-term Texas Democrat, Rep. Sylvester Turner. Elected in 2024 to succeed the late Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Turner had been serving the constituents of Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
The news of Turner’s death was shared with colleagues during a closed-door leadership meeting on Wednesday morning. Condolences poured in from other Democrats, with Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) acknowledging Turner’s remarkable legacy of service as Mayor of Houston and a Representative.
Turner, 70, had previously disclosed his battle with bone cancer in 2022 but had announced that he was cancer-free after undergoing treatment. Despite his health challenges, he continued to serve his community with dedication and resilience.
As per Texas law, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will be responsible for calling a special election to fill Turner’s vacant seat. There is no set deadline for Abbott to make this decision. In the event of a special election, all candidates will be listed on the primary ballot, with a potential runoff if no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote.
A spokesperson for Turner’s congressional office has not yet provided a statement regarding his passing.
Rep. Sylvester Turner’s contributions to his community and the state of Texas will be remembered fondly. His commitment to public service and his advocacy for his constituents have left a lasting impact on those he served.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
Andrew Howard contributed to this report.
