Turner filled the seat’s vacancy after the death of longtime House Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee. He was the mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024 and served in the Texas House of Representatives for 27 years.

“As a Democrat, I came here to fight for people and families who need healthcare, and the lack of it shouldn’t be a death sentence,” Turner told the Washington Examiner in an interview during freshman orientation at the Capitol earlier this year.

“My dad decided he would work to take care of nine kids until the Lord called him home,” Turner said. “He died early. Fast forward, his son, mayor of the city of Houston, [is] diagnosed with cancer two years ago. I had the best healthcare anyone can find in the world. I’m still here, and now I’m heading to the halls of Congress.”

SYLVESTER TURNER, 70, BUILDS ON SHEILA JACKSON LEE LEGACY WITHOUT ‘ROOKIE’ TITLE

Hours before his death, Turner posted on social media with the message, “Don’t mess with Medicaid.”

His death will increase the number of vacancies in the House to three. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has yet to vacate her seat after she was tapped to serve in the Trump administration. Two other House seats in Florida, most recently held by Republicans, are also vacant.