Biography
Sylvester Turner was a distinguished American attorney and politician who dedicated over three decades to public service in Texas. Born on September 27, 1954, in Houston's Acres Homes neighborhood, he was the sixth of nine children. After his father's passing when he was 13, his mother worked as a maid at a downtown Houston hotel, instilling in him the values of perseverance and optimism.
Turner earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Houston and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. He began his legal career as a trial lawyer at Fulbright & Jaworski and later co-founded Barnes & Turner, a law firm specializing in commercial law and personal injury litigation.
In 1988, Turner was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 139. He served for 27 years, including 21 years on the House Appropriations Committee and six years as Speaker Pro Tempore, playing a pivotal role in shaping state fiscal policy.
In 2015, Turner was elected as Houston's 62nd mayor, succeeding Annise Parker. He was re-elected in 2019, serving until 2024. During his tenure, he guided the city through seven federally declared natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He implemented significant pension reforms, reducing the city's liabilities by billions, and launched Houston's first Climate Action Plan, committing to carbon neutrality by 2050.
In 2024, following the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Turner was elected to represent Texas's 18th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served on the Homeland Security Committee and the Science, Space, & Technology Committee. Tragically, Turner passed away on March 5, 2025, after attending President Donald Trump's address to Congress the previous evening.
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Houston
- Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School
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Political Experience:
- Texas House of Representatives, District 139
- 21 years on the House Appropriations Committee
- 6 years as Speaker Pro Tempore
- Mayor of Houston
- Guided the city through multiple natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic
- Implemented pension reforms and launched the Climate Action Plan
- U.S. Representative for Texas's 18th Congressional District
- Served on the Homeland Security Committee and the Science, Space, & Technology Committee
