The flags of Texas and the U.S. are flying at half staff on Thursday and Friday to honor U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner of Houston, who started his first term in Congress in January. The Democrat was formerly the mayor of Houston from 2016-2024.

Former Houston Mayor and U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner and the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee — colleagues, friends and proud Houstonians — often spoke of a shared goal to serve the city they loved. Turner,

Just weeks after Rep. Sylvester Turner assumed office, his tragic passing means that the 18th Congressional District seat is once again up for grabs. In a bizarre series of events, the seat is open for the second time in under a year due to a death.