Shock, dismay, and heartbreak are some of the ways Houston area leaders and Texas politicians from both sides of the aisle are reacting to the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner, former mayor of Houston.

Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner of Texas, who long served as the mayor of Houston, died Tuesday night at the age of 70.

Washington—Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner of Texas has died, weeks after taking office. He was 70 years old. Turner also served as Houston's mayor from 2016 until 2024. The city of Houston confirmed his death and Mayor John Whitmire released a statement calling Turner a "remarkable public servant who impacted millions of people.