US Rep. Sylvester Turner dead at 70

WASHINGTON

US Rep. Sylvester Turner, a former Houston mayor, died Tuesday night at the age of 70, officials said Wednesday.

"A remarkable public servant who impacted millions of people. He rose from poverty but never forgot where he came from. It is a terrible loss for the city and a personal loss for me. I ask Houstonians to celebrate his life," Houston Mayor John Whitmire said at the beginning of a City Council meeting on Wednesday.

Whitmire said Turner was taken to the hospital late Tuesday.

Turner, a Democrat from Texas, was present at President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress Tuesday night.

"So please let people know, don’t mess with Medicaid," Turner said, posting a video on X with his guest on Tuesday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed sadness over the sudden passing of Turner.

"He served his community faithfully, not only as a member of Congress, but as a former state legislator and a mayor of Houston. Our prayers are with his family and constituents as they mourn his loss," Johnson said on X.

Turner was mayor of Houston from 2016 until 2024, and served 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives, representing district 139.