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Do not fill this in! {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}} {{short description|Mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Sylvester Turner | image = Sylvester Turner in 2019.png | caption = Turner in 2019 | office = 62nd [[List of mayors of Houston|Mayor of Houston]] | term_start = January 2, 2016 | term_end = January 1, 2024 | predecessor = [[Annise Parker]] | successor = [[John Whitmire]] | state_house1 = Texas | district1 = [[Texas's 139th House of Representatives district|139th]] | term_start1 = January 10, 1989 | term_end1 = January 1, 2016 | predecessor1 = Clint Hackney | successor1 = [[Jarvis Johnson]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|9|27}} | birth_place = [[Houston]], [[Texas]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Texas Democratic Party|Democratic]] | spouse = {{marriage|Cheryl Turner|1983|1991|end=div}} | children = 1 | education = [[University of Houston]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Harvard University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) | signature = Signature of Sylvester Turner.png | website = {{url|sylvesterturner.com|Official website}} | module = {{Listen | pos = center | embed = yes | filename = Mayor Sylvester Turner on Carrin Patman.ogg | title = Sylvester Turner' voice | type = speech | description = On [[Carrin Patman]]<br>Recorded February 2022}} }} '''Sylvester Turner''' (born September 27, 1954) is an American attorney and politician who was the [[List of mayors of Houston|62nd mayor of Houston, Texas]]. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], Turner was a member of the [[Texas House of Representatives]] from 1989 until 2016. He attended the [[University of Houston]] and [[Harvard Law School]].<ref name=TxHouse>{{cite web|title=Rep. Sylvester Turner|url=https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=139|publisher=Texas House of Representatives|access-date=March 27, 2014}}</ref> Turner ran for [[mayor of Houston]] in [[1991 Houston mayoral election|1991]], losing in the [[runoff election]] to [[Bob Lanier (politician)|Bob Lanier]]. He lost again in [[2003 Houston mayoral election|2003]], coming in third and thus missing the runoff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37486|title=Our Campaigns – Houston Mayor Race – Nov 04, 2003|access-date=December 13, 2015}}</ref><ref name=Groogan>{{cite news|last=Groogan|first=Greg|title=Sylvester Turner eyes Houston Mayor job|url=http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/24688582/sylvester-turner-eyes-houston-mayor-job|access-date=March 27, 2014|newspaper=Fox Houston|date=March 1, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229174334/http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/24688582/sylvester-turner-eyes-houston-mayor-job|archive-date=December 29, 2014}}</ref> Turner won the [[2015 Houston mayoral election|2015 election]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cooper|first1=Nakia|title=Sylvester Turner announces candidacy for mayor|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/sylvester-turner-announces-candidacy-for-mayor/31377128|access-date=July 3, 2015|archive-date=October 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019064124/http://www.click2houston.com/news/sylvester-turner-announces-candidacy-for-mayor/31377128|url-status=dead}}</ref> defeating Bill King in the runoff by 4,082 votes out of 212,696 votes cast in the closest mayoral election in Houston history by percentage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sylvester Turner wins Houston mayoral runoff election |url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/houston-mayoral-results-in-runoff-election |access-date=December 12, 2015 |website=Click2Houston}}</ref> On December 14, 2019, Turner [[2019 Houston mayoral election|won his second term as mayor]] over the more conservative [[Tony Buzbee]], 56-44 percent in a turn out of less than 20 percent of registered voters. ==Early life== Turner was born on September 27, 1954, in [[Houston|Houston, Texas]], as the sixth of nine children, and was raised in the [[Acres Homes, Houston|Acres Homes]] community in northwest Houston by his father, a commercial painter, and his mother, a maid at the Rice Hotel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sylvesterturner.com/about/|website=Sylvester Turner for Mayor|access-date=July 14, 2015|title=About – Sylvester Turner}}</ref> He was senior class president and [[valedictorian]] at [[Klein High School]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Honorable Sylvester|url=http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/honorable-sylvester-turner|website=The History Makers}}</ref> At the [[University of Houston]] he was Speaker of the Student Senate and graduated [[magna cum laude]] with a B.A. degree in political science.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rotaryhouston.org/stories/mayor-sylvester-turner|title=Mayor Sylvester Turner|access-date=December 18, 2023}}</ref> Turner was a finalist in the [[Ames Moot Court Competition]] while obtaining a J.D. degree from [[Harvard Law School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hls.harvard.edu/ames-moot-court/ames-moot-court-competition-archive/1979-ames-moot-court-competition/|title=1979 Ames Moot Court Competition|date=November 1, 1979|access-date=December 18, 2023}}</ref> He is a member of [[Alpha Phi Alpha]] fraternity.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Meeks|first1=Flori|title=Black fraternity has outreach, education as top priorities|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/memorial-news/article/Black-fraternity-has-outreach-education-as-top-1649718.php|access-date=January 18, 2016|work=Houston Chronicle|date=August 2, 2006}}</ref> ==Law practice== Upon completing law school Turner joined the law firm of [[Fulbright & Jaworski]]. In 1983, he founded his own firm, Barnes & Turner. He has served as an adjunct professor at the [[Thurgood Marshall School of Law]], and as a seminar lecturer at the [[South Texas College of Law]] and the [[University of Houston Law School]]'s Continuing Legal Education Programs.<ref name="The Honorable Sylvester Turner">{{cite web|title=The Honorable Sylvester Turner|url=http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/honorable-sylvester-turner|website=The History Makers}}</ref> Turner was admitted to practice in the State of Texas, federal District Court for the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas|Southern District Court of Texas]] and the [[Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals]]. He is a member of the [[State Bar of Texas]], [[American Bar Association]], [[National Bar Association]], Houston Lawyers Association, and the Houston Bar Association. Turner served as an [[immigration]] lawyer for many years in Houston. ==Political career== In 1984, Turner ran for Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 1 in the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] primary, but lost to [[El Franco Lee]]. Four years later, he was elected to the [[Texas House of Representatives]] in House District 139 in Harris County and remained in office through 2014. During that time, Turner ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Houston in 1991 and 2003.<ref name="OurCampaign Houston Mayor"> {{cite web|title=Houston Mayor|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37486|website=OurCampaigns}}</ref> During his 1991 campaign for Houston mayor, Wayne Dolcefino of [[KTRK-TV]] ran an investigative report questioning Turner's involvement in an elaborate insurance fraud scam. The resulting scandal ultimately cost Turner the election. Turner sued Dolcefino and KTRK and was initially awarded a $5.5 million libel settlement that was reduced to $3.25 million by the presiding judge. KTRK appealed the ruling. The Texas Supreme Court overturned the money award based on heightened legal protections that the First Amendment affords to the media. However, the court found that both of these specific broadcasts were both false and defamatory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/tx-supreme-court/1406447.html|title=Sylvester TURNER, Petitioner, v. KTRK TELEVISION, INC. and Wayne Dolcefino, Respondents.|website=findlaw.com|language=en|access-date=December 2, 2019}}</ref> [[File:01.08 總統過境美國休士頓時,會晤休士頓市長唐納(Sylvester Turner),並與唐納合影 (32080635191).jpg|thumb|Turner with Taiwanese President [[Tsai Ing-wen]] in January 2017.]] Turner served more than 25 years in the Texas House of Representatives, and throughout his service, he served as a member of the Legislative Budget Board, Vice-Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Chairman of the Subcommittee of Articles 1, 4 & 5 (General Government, Judiciary, Public Safety & Criminal Justice) and the House State Affairs Committee. He also chaired the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and the Greater Houston Area Legislative Delegation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=139|website=Texas House of Representatives|title=Texas House of Representatives}}</ref> Turner has supported policies to attract doctors to underserved areas,<ref>{{cite web|title=Governor signs historic physician loan repayment bill|url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/deer_park/living/governor-signs-historic-physician-loan-repayment-bill/article_e426911d-056d-503b-a7fb-fa1a0d4b909e.html|website=Your Houston News}}</ref> proposed a measure increasing state funding for mental health services in Harris County from $32 million to $200 million,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pinkerton|first1=James|title=As mental illness permeates streets, police, jail struggle|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/As-mental-illness-permeates-streets-police-jail-4237636.php|website=Houston Chronicle|date=January 31, 2013}}</ref> and worked to increase funds for legal aid for poor Texans.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Texas Legislature Responds to Need for Increased Legal Aid Funding; Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation Will Manage Additional $3 Million Appropriated by Legislature|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20050629005703/en/Texas-Legislature-Responds-Increased-Legal-Aid-Funding#.VY2N-PlViko|website=Business Wire}}</ref> In February 2020, Turner endorsed [[Michael Bloomberg]] in the [[2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Samuels |first1=Alex |title=Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Mike Bloomberg's apology for "stop and frisk" was key to endorsement |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/02/13/houston-mayor-sylvester-turner-endorses-michael-bloomberg-president/ |website=The Texas Tribune |access-date=March 27, 2020 |language=en |date=February 13, 2020}}</ref> However, in March 2020, he switched his endorsement to former vice president [[Joe Biden]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner now endorses Joe Biden |url=https://www.fox26houston.com/news/houston-mayor-sylvester-turner-now-endorses-joe-biden |website=FOX 26 Houston |access-date=March 27, 2020 |date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> In 2023, Turner endorsed [[Sheila Jackson Lee]] to be his successor in the [[2023 Houston mayoral election]] but she lost by nearly 30 percentage points.<ref>https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/houston-mayor/2023/11/08/469014/mayor-sylvester-turner-endorses-sheila-jackson-lee-in-houston-mayoral-runoff/</ref> When Turner's eight year tenure as mayor ended on January 1, 2024, the city was in a dire financial state.<ref>https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/turner-budget-deficit-18477647.php</ref> The city was spending $100 to $200 million more than what it was bringing in each year.<ref>https://abc13.com/budget-city-of-houston-finances-mayor-sylvester-turner-the-greater-project/13977404/</ref><ref>https://www.fox26houston.com/news/mayor-john-whitmire-says-the-city-of-houston-is-broke</ref> ===Ride sharing mobile apps=== In 2016, Turner voiced his support for stricter laws regulating Uber and other ridesharing services. Texas in 2016 led the country in drunk driving fatalities, according to data collected by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 2016. MADD said there were 1,438 traffic fatalities in Texas involving drunk driving in 2016 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/04-27-16-uber-sues-houston-over-fingerprints-mayor-says-city-will-not-compromise-on-public-safety/|website=Culturemap|access-date=April 27, 2015|title=Uber threatens exit over fingerprint rules, Mayor says no compromise on public safety}}</ref> ===LGBT rights=== In 2015, Turner was named one of the top 10 best members of the Texas House on LGBT issues by Equality Texas with an "A+" rating,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equalitytexas.org/84th-texas-house-scorecard/|website=Equality Texas|access-date=July 14, 2015|title=84th Texas House Scorecard|date=June 3, 2015 }}</ref> after Turner said he had "evolved" on LGBT issues.<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Anti-Gay Representative Supports full LGBT equality|url=http://www.texasobserver.org/rep-sylvester-turner-says-hes-evolved-on-lgbt-issues/|website=Texas Observer|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref> Turner, while running against Bill King in the [[Houston mayoral election, 2015|2015 Houston mayoral runoff election]], stated he is "100 percent" committed to reenacting [[Houston, Texas Proposition 1, 2015|Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO)]] and attacked Bill King for saying he won't revisit the issue of HERO, along with his support from the [[Campaign for Houston]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sylvesterturner.com/100-percent-committed-to-a-city-without-discrimination/|title=100 Percent Committed to a City Without Discrimination|work=Sylvester Turner|access-date=December 13, 2015|archive-date=August 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824025259/http://www.sylvesterturner.com/100-percent-committed-to-a-city-without-discrimination/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ===Consumer protections=== [[File:Rebuilding a Smarter City- Lessons From Houston (32997671758).jpg|thumb|Turner discussing Houston's path to becoming a smart city at an event by [[New America (organization)|New America]] in January 2019.]] In 1999, Turner voted to restructure the electric utility industry in Texas to allow customers competition and [[consumer choice]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.journals.house.state.tx.us/hjrnl/76r/pdf/day78.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106230804/http://www.journals.house.state.tx.us/hjrnl/76r/pdf/day78.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2009|title=Texas House Journal}}</ref> During his time in the legislature, he also worked to continue to protect Texans, voting for bills preventing gas companies from cutting off service during freezing temperatures,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.journals.house.state.tx.us/hjrnl/77r/pdf/day71.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106234510/http://www.journals.house.state.tx.us/hjrnl/77r/pdf/day71.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2009|title=Texas House Journal}}</ref> limiting the amount utility companies could raise rates in order to fund certain projects, such as building electric poles and wires, without first getting approval from state regulators,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Galbraith|first1=Kate|title=Bill helps utilities increase rates|url=http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_18052249|website=Downtown El Paso}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and authoring legislation that required the Public Utility Commission to conduct cost-benefit analyses of any proposals from utility companies that would add more than $100 million to annual consumer electricity costs.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pickrell|first1=Emily|title=Bill would force agency to consider consumer power costs|date=March 20, 2013|url=http://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Bill-would-force-agency-to-consider-consumer-4368524.php}}</ref> During the 84th session, Turner authored legislation that would prohibit electricity companies from charging customers "minimum usage fees" when they used too little electricity.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Malewitz|first1=Jim|title=Legislation Would Ban Fees for Conserving Electricity|date=April 2, 2015|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/02/legislation-would-ban-fees-conserving-electricity/}}</ref> Turner also voted to allow the Public Utility Commission to issue emergency cease-and-desist orders, without first going to a court, to companies whose actions threaten the state's electricity supply.<ref>{{cite web|title=House gives utility commission emergency powers|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/business/house-gives-utility-commission-emergency-powers/nWyfS/|website=Statesman|access-date=July 8, 2015|archive-date=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709142422/http://www.statesman.com/news/business/house-gives-utility-commission-emergency-powers/nWyfS/|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the 83rd session, he joined a campaign to encourage low-income Texans to enroll in "LITE-UP Texas", a program "authorized by the Texas Legislature through which participants could reduce the monthly cost of electric service by 82%."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Turner|first1=Sylvester|title=Rep. Sylvester Turner urge low-income Texans to enroll in state electricity discount program|url=http://www.house.state.tx.us/news/member/press-releases/?id=4643&session=83&district=139&bill_code=4685|website=Texas House of Representatives|access-date=July 8, 2015|archive-date=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709172859/http://www.house.state.tx.us/news/member/press-releases/?id=4643&session=83&district=139&bill_code=4685|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the 84th session, he authored a bill to extend this discount program for another two years, until the end of 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Osborne|first1=James|title=Electricity assistance for low-income Texans close to reprieve|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/20150605-electricity-assistance-for-low-income-texans-close-to-reprieve.ece|website=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=July 8, 2015|archive-date=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709130017/http://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/20150605-electricity-assistance-for-low-income-texans-close-to-reprieve.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also co-authored a bill to help ensure persons living in multi-family residences are alerted when their electricity bill has not been paid.<ref>{{cite web|last1=George|first1=Cindy|title=New laws provide more protections for Texas tenants|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/columnists/advocate/article/New-laws-provide-more-protections-for-Texas-5133242.php|website=Houston Chronicle|date=January 11, 2014}}</ref> ===Public education=== In 2004, he voted against a measure that would have scaled "back benefits for future public school employees and discourag[ed] early retirement."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.journals.house.state.tx.us/hjrnl/79r/pdf/79rday75final.pdf#page=51|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106223722/http://www.journals.house.state.tx.us/hjrnl/79r/pdf/79rday75final.pdf#page=51|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2009|title=House Journal}}</ref> He was also critical of investment managers for the Teachers Retirement Fund for taking over $8.2 million in bonuses while the state was slashing funding for education and the system's investments continued to struggle.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hoppe|first1=Christy|last2=Timms|first2=Ed|title=Texas teacher pension fund gave more in bonuses than all other state agencies combined, analysis shows|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20110423-texas-teacher-pension-fund-gave-more-in-bonuses-than-all-other-state-agencies-combined-analysis-shows.ece|website=The Dalls Morning News|access-date=July 8, 2015|archive-date=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709234500/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20110423-texas-teacher-pension-fund-gave-more-in-bonuses-than-all-other-state-agencies-combined-analysis-shows.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, Turner voted against a measure that would have implemented a 6 percent cut to education funding for all schools in Texas, a move that equated to a $4 billion education funding cut.<ref>{{cite web|title=SB 1811 – Reduces Funding for State Agencies – Key Vote|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/13418/35617/8018/reduces-funding-for-state-agencies#.VY2EIflViko|website=Vote Smart}}</ref> As a member of the legislature, Turner voted against a measure that would allow school districts to lower their salaries, implement furlough days,<ref>{{cite web|title=SB 8 – Management and Operation of Public Schools – Key Vote|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/13533/35598/8018/management-and-operation-of-public-schools#.VY2EYPlViko|website=Vote Smart}}</ref> and increase student-teacher classroom ratios.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Morgan|title=House Approves Key Education Bills|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2011/06/16/house-approves-key-education-bills/|website=The Texas Tribune|date=June 16, 2011}}</ref> He also opposed a corporate tax break that many legislators, in the Texas House of Representatives, believed would hurt public school funding.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ficak|first1=Peggy|title=House bill grants businesses $667M in tax relief|date=May 8, 2013|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/House-bill-grants-business-667-million-in-4497130.php}}</ref> ===Immigration=== Texas has banned [[Sanctuary city|sanctuary cities]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/09/politics/sanctuary-city-bans-states/index.html|title=Florida is about to ban sanctuary cities. At least 11 other states have, too|first=Catherine E. |last=Shoichet|website=CNN|date=May 9, 2019}}</ref> but Mayor Turner said that Houston will not assist [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement|ICE]] agents with immigration raids.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Cities Prepare For Planned ICE Raids |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/07/13/741118939/u-s-cities-prepare-for-planned-ice-raids-on-sunday?t=1567683134930 |publisher=NPR |date=July 13, 2019}}</ref> ===Hurricane Harvey=== In the aftermath of [[Hurricane Harvey]], Mayor Turner received criticism for his decision not to suggest any form of evacuation. He responded to the criticism by pointing out the logistics of evacuating "6.5 million" people and the deaths and traffic that occurred during the 2005 [[Hurricane Rita]] evacuation. Critics have replied stating that 6.5 million people did not have to be evacuated but instead tens of thousands could have been evacuated who were in flood zones or individuals who were most at risk during emergencies could have been evacuated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Texas Governor, Mayor Split Over Whether Houston Needed Evacuations |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-governor-mayor-split-over-if-houston-needed-evacuations-1503880263 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Why was Houston not evacuated before Hurricane Harvey? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41085438 |publisher=BBC News |date=August 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Houston mayor defends decision not to issue evacuation order |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/houston-mayor-defends-decision-issue-evacuation-order/story?id=49453471 |publisher=ABC News |date=August 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/0af7c31e67ab439b9f23f892d013d418|title=Questions swirl around Houston mayor's evacuation decision|date=August 30, 2017|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> ===Health care=== A supporter of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), Turner voted against joining the Interstate Health Care Compact, an alternative to traditional ACA participation,<ref>{{cite web|title=HB 5 – Interstate Health Care Compact – Key Vote|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/13575/35609/8018/interstate-health-care-compact#.VY17PflViko|website=Vote Smart}}</ref> and introduced legislation that would expand Medicaid in Texas pursuant to the ACA.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Aaronson|first1=Becca|title=House Panel Debates Medicaid Expansion Proposal|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2013/04/16/house-panel-considers-medicaid-expansion-proposal/|website=The Texas Tribune|date=April 16, 2013}}</ref> Turner warned fellow legislators about the potential backlash from constituents if the state chose not to expand Medicaid, which promised a significant return on the state's investment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hearing highlights Medicaid expansion rift|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/news/hearing-highlights-medicaid-expansion-rift/nWmg8/|website=The Statesman|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924155016/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/hearing-highlights-medicaid-expansion-rift/nWmg8/|url-status=dead}}</ref> One of his major accomplishments in the House was legislation that expanded access to the children's health insurance program, which was passed in 2007.<ref name="The Honorable Sylvester Turner"/> Turner also passed legislation in 2015 that will free up funding for medical trauma care centers, which have not received the full amount of funds designated to be spent specifically on trauma centers. The legislation will bring $25 million to the Greater Houston area over the next two years, including $11 million to Ben Taub and $10 million to the Memorial Hermann.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Honorable Sylvester Turner|url=http://www.house.state.tx.us/news/member/press-releases/?id=5192|website=The History Makers|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705212649/http://www.house.state.tx.us/news/member/press-releases/?id=5192|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the 84th Legislature, Turner introduced legislation that would provide care under Medicaid for people with severe and persistent mental illness and who are transitioning from an institution to the community, and who are at risk of institutionalization or re-institutionalization. Turner is a regular attendee of various public health programs, including contributions to [[COVID-19]] safety and community-based health care.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozen |first=Sierra |date=December 13, 2021 |title=Texas Children's Hospital to partner with city of Houston for COVID-19 vaccine event |url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/coronavirus/2021/12/13/texas-childrens-hospital-to-partner-with-city-of-houston-for-covid-19-vaccine-event/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |website=impact |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |last=Management |first=Karya Property |date=May 18, 2021 |title=Houston Officially Welcomes the Karya Kares Clinic |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/18/2231947/0/en/Houston-Officially-Welcomes-the-Karya-Kares-Clinic.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |last=Management |first=Karya Property |title=Karya Kares Donates Millions in Rental Assistance and PPE Funds to those Affected by COVID-19 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/karya-kares-donates-millions-in-rental-assistance-and-ppe-funds-to-those-affected-by-covid-19-301058726.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref> ====Abortion==== Turner has long been an advocate for abortion rights. He voted against a measure requiring doctors to perform a sonogram on women seeking an abortion at least 24 hours before the procedures.<ref>{{cite web|title=HB 15 – Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion – Key Vote|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/12859/34871/8018/requires-an-ultrasound-prior-to-an-abortion#.VY2DxflViko|website=Vote Smart}}</ref> He has also fought to protect funding for family planning programs and Planned Parenthood.<ref>{{cite web|title=SB 7 – Health Care – Key Vote|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/13545/35505/8018/health-care#.VY1_pflViko|website=Vote Smart}}</ref> Turner also voted against a Senate version of a measure that banned abortions after 20 weeks and tightened standards on abortion clinics,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Grissom|first1=Brandi|title=Abortion, Protests, Transportation as Session Nears End|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2013/06/24/abortion-protests-redistricting-special-session-ne/|website=The Texas Tribune|date=June 24, 2013}}</ref> and also authored an amendment to the bill that would have required the state to pay the costs abortion clinics would incur on the measure to retrofit facilities so they could be certified as surgical centers.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tuma|first1=Mary|title=Anti-Abortion Bill Officially Advanced by House|url=http://www.sacurrent.com/Blogs/archives/2013/07/09/anti-abortion-bill-officially-advanced-by-house|website=San Antonio Current}}</ref> In 2013, the El Paso Times described Turner as a "lion of pro-abortion rights."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schladen|first1=Marty|title=Texas state rep Bryan Hughes focused on abortion message|url=http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_23701512/state-rep-focused-pro-life-message|website=[[El Paso Times]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102041556/https://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_23701512/state-rep-focused-pro-life-message/ |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |date=July 12, 2013 |access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> ===Criminal justice=== On gun control, Turner opposed measures to limit lawsuits against gun or ammunition manufacturers,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/16961843/|website=The Galveston Daily News|date=May 18, 1999 }}</ref> allowing concealed handguns on higher education campuses, and rescinding the authority of local governments to ban concealed weapons on public property.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.journals.house.state.tx.us/hjrnl/78r/pdf/day70final.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106221920/http://www.journals.house.state.tx.us/hjrnl/78r/pdf/day70final.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2009|title=Texas House Journal}}</ref> He also opposed measures that would reduce the number of training hours required to receive a concealed handgun license.<ref>{{cite web|title=HB 928 – Prohibits State Funds from Being Used for the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations – Key Vote|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/16907/44886/8018/prohibits-state-funds-from-being-used-for-the-enforcement-of-federal-firearm-regulations#.VY1_b_lViko|website=Vote Smart}}</ref> Turner supported a bill that prohibited the use of state funds for the enforcement of federal firearms regulations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vote Smart|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/16877/44770/8018/reduces-required-hours-for-concealed-handgun-license-training#.VY19x_lViko|website=SB 864 – Reduces Required Hours for Concealed Handgun License Training – Key Vote}}</ref> He also advocated abandoning the "pick-a-pal system", where judges appoint commissioners who then can pick whoever they want to serve on grand juries.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barajas|first1=Michael|title=Watch Rep. Sylvester Turner's Cri de Coeur for Grand Jury Reform|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/watch-rep-sylvester-turners-cri-de-coeur-for-grand-jury-reform-7438912|website=Houston Press}}</ref> ===Homelessness=== As mayor of Houston, Turner made it a goal of his administration to end [[Homelessness in the United States#Chronic homelessness|chronic homelessness]] in the city.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kimmelman |first1=Michael |last2=Tompkins |first2=Lucy |last3=Lee |first3=Christopher |title=How Houston Moved 25,000 People From the Streets Into Homes of Their Own |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/14/headway/houston-homeless-people.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article |access-date=June 14, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=June 14, 2022}}</ref> Turner asked the police to start enforcing an ordinance that bans sharing food with homeless people in the city of Houston.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/houston/2023/03/02/445203/group-says-they-will-continue-to-feed-homeless-despite-citys-enforcement-of-anti-food-sharing-ordinance/|last1=Brown|first1=Ashley|title=Group says they will continue to feed homeless despite city's enforcement of anti food sharing ordinance}}</ref> ==Personal life== Turner is a member of the Church Without Walls.<ref name="texastribune.org">{{Cite web |url=https://www.texastribune.org/directory/bio/sylvester-turner/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 31, 2017 |archive-date=August 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831092234/https://www.texastribune.org/directory/bio/sylvester-turner/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was married to Cheryl Turner, a former [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]] assistant district attorney, from 1983 to late 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Ex-assistant-district-attorney-gets-prison-in-1858620.php |title=Ex-assistant district attorney gets prison in estate theft |website=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=September 7, 2006 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |last=Rogers |first=Brian |language=en-US}}</ref> They have one daughter, Ashley Page Turner, who married Jimmie Captain in March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2021/08/06/photos-houstons-first-daughter-ashley-turner-shares-her-engagement-pictures/ |title=PHOTOS: Houston's first daughter Ashley Turner shares her engagement pictures |website=[[KPRC-TV]] Click2Houston |date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |last=Cochran |first=Amanda}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/article/First-look-Ashley-Turner-daughter-of-Mayor-17001517.php |title=Mayor Turner's daughter Ashley Turner weds in custom gown at Citadel Houston |website=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=March 14, 2022 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |language=en-US |last=Elliott |first=Amber}}</ref> As mayor, Turner hosted the opening ceremonies of [[Anime Matsuri]] from 2018 to 2023, barring 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://otakuusamagazine.com/houston-mayor-sylvester-turner-cosplays-every-year/ |title=Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner Cosplays Every Year |last=Davidson |first=Danica |website=[[Otaku USA]] Magazine |date=August 15, 2023 |access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> having made appearances in [[anime]] [[cosplay]] as a member of the [[List of Naruto characters#Akatsuki|Akatsuki]] from [[Naruto]] in 2018, [[Goku]] from [[Dragon Ball]] in 2019, [[List of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba characters#Kyojuro Rengoku|Kyōjurō Rengoku]] from [[Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba|Demon Slayer]] in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chron.com/houston/article/Anime-Matsuri-cosplay-Mayor-Sylvester-Turner-Demon-16303769.php |title=Mayor Sylvester Turner dresses up in 'Demon Slayer' robes for controversial anime festival |last=Carson |first=Dan |date=July 12, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |language=en-US |website=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> [[Ichigo Kurosaki]] from [[Bleach]] in 2022, and [[Luffy]] from [[One Piece]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chron.com/culture/article/houston-mayor-anime-costume-18292244.php |title=Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner channels 'One Piece' for popular anime convention |date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |language=en-US |last=Garcia |first=Ariana |website=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> In November 2022, Turner disclosed that during the summer he had been diagnosed with bone cancer, for which he had surgery and received six weeks of radiation treatment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carson |first=Dan |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner reveals he was treated for bone cancer |url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-mayor-turner-cancer-17553462.php |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=[[Houston Chronicle]] |language=en-US}}</ref> ==See also== * [[List of mayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States]] ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=8018 | fec= | congress= }}<!-- Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template: * [http://ballotpedia.org/Sylvester_Turner Biography] at [[Ballotpedia]] * --> *[https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=139 Legislative page] *[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=5894 Our Candidates page] *{{C-SPAN|111951}} {{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=[[Annise Parker]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of mayors of Houston|Mayor of Houston]]|years=2016–2024}} {{s-aft|after=[[John Whitmire]]}} {{s-end}} {{Mayors of Houston}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Turner, Sylvester}} [[Category:1954 births]] [[Category:20th-century African-American lawyers]] [[Category:20th-century African-American politicians]] [[Category:20th-century American lawyers]] [[Category:20th-century American politicians]] [[Category:21st-century 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