A Democratic congressman dropped dead just hours after attending President Trump's speech to Congress.

Sylvester Turner, a former Houston mayor who only recently won election to the House in November, died early Wednesday. He was 70 years old.

Democrat dies after speech

While the exact cause of death is unknown at this time, Turner was reportedly not feeling well during Trump's speech and left to go the hospital. He later died at his home Wednesday morning due to unspecified "health complications," his family said.

“Congressman Turner was the consummate public servant. But to us, he was our beloved father, grandfather, sibling and relative. Thank you for your prayers,” his family said in its statement.

Turner was the mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024. He won a House race in the fall to represent the state's 18th District, replacing longtime Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee, who died from cancer in July.

Turner, in a final message to the president, urged Trump not to touch Medicaid spending.

"President Trump and Elon Musk’s push to gut Medicaid is nothing short of a betrayal of the most vulnerable among us," Turner wrote on X. "They are playing politics with children’s lives, and I will not stand for it."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Ny.) lauded Turner, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, as a "fighter."

"In what would be his final message to his beloved constituents last night he reminded us ‘don’t mess with Medicaid,'” Jeffries said.

“The entire House Democratic Caucus family is praying for the Turner family and staff, as well as the City of Houston,” Jeffries added. "May he forever rest in power.”

Tributes pouring in

Fellow Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green - who grabbed headlines for getting expelled from Trump's address - said he was overwhelmed by Turner's untimely death.

"I'm just overwhelmed. When I heard it, I fell to my knees. I can't believe it," Green told Axios.

"We were on the floor together last night. You never know for whom the bell will toll next," Green said. "I'm a little full from losing my friend."

Republicans also sent their regards. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Turner "served his community faithfully, not only as a member of Congress, but as a former state legislator and a mayor of Houston."

Turner's death leaves Republicans with a slightly larger majority of 218 votes to Democrats' 214. His body will lie in state at the Texas Capitol on March 13 and 14.