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MORE details have come to light about Democratic Congressman Sylvester Turner’s heartbreaking health battle leading up to his death on Wednesday.
Turner died in a Washington DC hospital after attending Donald Trump’s address to Congress the night before.
The Texas representative announced in 2022 that he had been privately battling bone cancer.
Turner said a doctor had diagnosed him with osteosarcoma after discovering a tumor on his jaw during a dental visit, Houston Public Media reported.
A week after his diagnosis, the congressman was forced to stay in the hospital for eight days and sit through a painstakingly long nine-hour surgery.
During the surgery, Turner said the doctors restructured his jaw using bone from his leg, local CBS affiliate KHOU reported.
“Went through radiation for six weeks, every single morning, Monday through Friday, 7:30; August 1 through September 12. Back at city council that day,” Turner said.
Despite it all, he said he has been “blessed.”
The congressman declared that he was cancer free at the end of 2022.
It is unclear what his cause exact cause of death was, but officials said that he was rushed to the hospital after experiencing a medical emergency.
The shocking passing of the lifelong politician has left others in the political world speechless, as many just saw him at Trump’s address.
“I am heartbroken and devastated by the loss of this exceptional Houstonian and exceptional human being,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher said.
“In his presence, you could always feel the love for the city that we call home and for all the people who live here.”
Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced the congressman’s death during a council meeting on Wednesday.
“It’s my duty as the mayor to confirm that Congressman Sylvester Turner, a former mayor, state representative for 24 years, passed away last night,” Whitmire said.
“This comes as a shock to everyone. I would ask Houstonians to come together. Pray for his family, join us in celebrating this remarkable public servant. Celebrate his life, which we will be doing.”
TURNER’S LAST WORDS
Less than 24 hours before his death, Turner posted on X pleading with Trump not to make any cuts to medicaid.
The politician had quote tweeted a video where he introduced his guest for Trump’s address, Angela Hernandez.
Key moments from Trump’s first Congress address
- Petty Democrats refuse to stand as Trump enters the room
- Representative Al Green is thrown out just minutes into the address
- Republicans give suited Elon Musk a standing ovation as Trump applauds his DOGE efforts
- Trump slams ‘total mess’ that he inherited from Biden
- Democrats hold signs protesting the Trump administration and walk out during his address
- Trump doubles down on reciprocal taxes coming April 2
- Tells politicians he’s ‘reclaiming’ the Panama Canal
- Trump reveals a surprise letter he received from Zelensky and insists Russia has given him ‘strong signals’ they are ready for peace
“Angela is here to advocate for the importance of Medicaid,” Turner said in the video.
Hernandez then introduced herself and her two-year-old daughter, who has a rare genetic disorder that causes “developmental and medical challenges.”
“Losing Medicaid would be devastating to us,” the mother said.
The congressman quoted the video stating that cutting Medicaid would directly impact families across the country.
“President Trump and Elon Musk’s push to gut Medicaid is nothing short of a betrayal of the most vulnerable among us,” Turner wrote.
“They are playing politics with children’s lives, and I will not stand for it.”