Rep. Sylvester Turner, 70, a Democratic lawmaker and former mayor of Houston, has passed away following his attendance at Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. Turner, who had been battling cancer in his jaw since before his November 2024 election, was active on social media leading up to the speech, sharing a video with a constituent advocating for Medicaid.
Turner’s office has not yet confirmed the cause of death, but sources have reported he was battling cancer. He recently made headlines for his strong stance on protecting Medicaid, voicing opposition to potential cuts under the Trump administration. Turner had also recently won the seat vacated by former Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away last year.
Mourning his loss, Rep. Brandon Weber praised Turner as a devoted public servant. Turner was well-regarded for his years of service and leadership in Houston, having served as mayor from 2016-2024. He was remembered by colleagues for his unwavering dedication to the people of Texas, including his final message advocating for children with rare genetic disorders.
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Reporting by Naija247news in Lagos, Nigeria.
