A new Democratic lawmaker had a message for Donald Trump about cutting Medicaid for everyday Americans that he shared widely before the president’s Tuesday night primetime speech.
A few hours later, 70-year-old Texas Rep. Sylvester Turner – who had recently struggled to overcome bone cancer – had died.
The cause of death is not yet known for Turner, a former Houston mayor and longtime state representative who recently succeeded the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Turner announced in 2022 that he had been treated for bone cancer and was cancer-free.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who took over the mayorship after Turner stepped down earlier this year to join Congress, told the Houston City Council meeting Wednesday morning that Turner was taken to a hospital in Washington, where he died.
“This comes as a shock to everyone,” Whitmire said. “I would 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.”
Turner planned to attend President Donald Trump‘s joint address to Congress at the Capitol Tuesday evening, and NBC News reported several lawmakers saw or spoke with their freshman colleague before the speech started. Turner had posted on X shortly before the speech began, introducing his guest and urging Republicans: “Don’t mess with Medicaid.”
Several members of Congress from both political parties posted on social media about their sadness at his death and his dedication to public service.
“Brenda Gail and I are heartbroken by the passing of my friend Sylvester Turner,” wrote Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas. “He was a devoted public servant who cared deeply for Houstonians. Just last night, we spoke on the House Floor—life is too short.”
At the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, fellow Democrats mourned the loss.
California Rep. Pete Aguilar, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, called Turner’s death tragic. “He wasn’t here very long, but his tenure will be felt by everyone,’’ Aguilar told USA TODAY.
He said leaders aren’t focused on what Turner’s death means for the party’s position in the House. Republicans hold a slim majority.
“We’re not too concerned about that today. Our focus is just 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 for filling the vacancy. In the meantime, we’ll all just continue to honor his legacy by doing things like this, focusing on policy, policy that helps people. That’s what he cared about.”
Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell, a fellow member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said “all of us are reeling’’ from the news.
“He may have only been a colleague for a short period of time, but he’s left such an indelible imprint on our caucus,’’ said Sewell. “He was an amazing mayor. Sheila Jackson Lee’s footsteps are hard to fill. He filled them and really made his own imprint and we will miss him.”
Rodney Ellis, a Harris County Commissioner in Houston, said he was devastated by the news of Turner’s passing.
Ellis had known Turner since they were both teens living in the Houston area. Students at different high schools, the two were on competing debate teams, Ellis said.
“He was known as a great closer, and so I would try and avoid him at debate tournaments,” Ellis said.
They reunited after both men finished law school, moved back to Houston and were elected to serve in 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 said.
Ellis said he had planned to visit Turner at his D.C. office Tuesday, before he learned that was the day of Trump’s address and decided to reschedule his trip. He had his last conversation with Turner on Monday.
“It’s just a great loss. I’m just in shock.”
USA TODAY staff writer Savannah Kuchar contributed to this report.
