Turner’s death comes two months into his first term representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District, the seat long occupied by former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who also died in office last year amid a battle with pancreatic cancer.

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.

Former Houston Mayor and U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner has died at 70. The Houston native had served 27 years in the Texas Legislature and eight years as his home city's mayor. He became representative for the 18th Congressional District after U.