Washington, D.C. was rocked by shocking news late Tuesday night when it was announced that a member a Congress, Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX) died just hours after attending President Trump’s speech to Congress. The 70-year-old freshman congressman had been present for the entire 100-minute address, making his sudden passing all the more unexpected.
Turner, the former Mayor of Houston, was elected to Congress last year after winning a crowded Democratic primary to replace the late Sheila Jackson Lee—who also passed away in office. A longtime public figure in Texas politics, Turner was known for his staunch progressive views, particularly on healthcare. In what would be his final social media post, he warned against cuts to Medicaid, taking direct aim at President Trump and Elon Musk.
“Let me be clear: any cuts to Medicaid are a direct attack on families like Angela’s. President Trump and Elon Musk’s push to gut Medicaid is nothing short of a betrayal of the most vulnerable among us. They are playing politics with children’s lives, and I will not stand for it.”
My message to the current administration for tonight’s State of the Union: “Don’t mess with Medicaid.”
I am proud to have Angela Hernandez here from our Congressional district as my guest. She is representing and advocating for her daughter Baislee Garcia who has a rare genetic… pic.twitter.com/n9p49IXGHa
— U.S. Representative Sylvester Turner (@repsturner) March 5, 2025
Ironically, his passing now leaves Democrats in an even deeper hole as they struggle with razor-thin margins in the House. With Republicans already holding a three-vote majority, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) now gains additional leverage as he prepares for Senate negotiations on key parts of President Trump’s agenda.
Turner’s colleagues have expressed shock at his passing, as he had been seen walking through the halls of Congress just hours before. Social media posts from his office showed him greeting guests and preparing for the night’s address. While he had been battling jaw cancer, he remained active in his role and showed no immediate signs of distress.
Rep. Brandon Weber (R-TX) expressed his sadness on X:
“Brenda Gail and I are heartbroken by the passing of my friend Sylvester Turner. Just last night, we spoke on the House Floor—life is too short.”
Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) added:
“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my colleague, Congressman Sylvester Turner. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of service.”
With Turner’s seat now vacant, a special election will soon be announced. In the meantime, Democrats lose another critical vote, further weakening their already struggling position in Congress. For Republicans, this means more breathing room as they push forward with Trump’s policy priorities.
A tragic loss for his family and supporters—but in the brutal world of politics, the power dynamics shift instantly.