“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost
As high school Valedictorian, Sylvester Turner titled his speech “The Choice is Yours.” In that speech, he encouraged students to make their own decisions about their future paths. Some 52 years later, Turner, who now serves as the U.S. Representative for Texas’ 18th District, is still following that advice.
Turner joined Congress in 2025 after serving as Houston’s mayor for eight years. His run for congressional office was spurred on by the passing of Sheila Jackson Lee, who had been Texas’ 18th District Representative for 29 years. The Texas 18th District Representative seat also holds a key historical significance, as Barbara Jordan, the first Southern black woman elected to the United States House of Representatives, held the position from 1973 to 1979.
Before working as Houston’s mayor, Turner was a representative in the Texas House for 27 years.
A common thread through Turner’s journey as a public servant has been relationships and how developing those relationships has allowed him to make meaningful changes.
“It’s easy to work against what you do not know. And it’s easy to vote against someone you don’t know. It’s hard to work against and vote against people that you know, and who become your friends,” Turner said.
Through all his opportunities in public service, Turner attributes his continued desire to improve the lives of Texans due to his upbringing and the many relationships he has formed along the way.
Turner was born and raised in Houston. He experienced integration in his high school years, which he described as a “rough start.” His school was closed, and he was bussed into what had been an all-white school, Klein High School. But despite acclimating to the new reality, became the first Black valedictorian for Klein ISD as well as student body president. Turner attributes the foundation for his success to the educators he had.
“If you take them out of the equation, there is no Sylvester Turner,” he said. Turner went on to graduate from the University of Houston and Harvard Law School.
In particular, Turner had a strong relationship with Dr. Don Collins, the superintendent of Klein ISD, and he spoke at Collins’ funeral which occurred while Turner was Mayor of Houston.
When Turner was Houston’s Mayor, he met another influential friend, Carol Haddock. Haddock was the Director of Houston Public Works, and together they used “an analytical approach” to allocate resources and implement programs that best served the community.
According to Haddock, Turner places a special emphasis on developing public school systems due to his life experience of having access to a quality education.
“Congressman Turner’s power to advocate stems from his voice,” she said. “His commitment to promoting education rings loud and clear through his story about his origin and journey.”
According to Haddock, “He works to lift people up and help them thrive by delivering accessibility to resources and education.”
Turner believes one of the biggest responsibilities he’s held has been to set an example for future generations. “It’s not about the buildings we construct or the roads,” he said. “It’s about those young kids who are watching when we don’t even see them.”
According to Turner, serving as Houston’s Mayor was the “highlight” of his career, but that he’s always got his sights set on what’s next.
In 2022, Turner had cancer in his jaw which required reconstruction. During one of his checkups, he asked, “Doc, what do you think about me going to D.C.?”
Turner’s doctor told him, “Sylvester, the people here at M.D. Anderson do not treat and cure people for them to go to sit in a corner… Number one, live your life. Number two, tell your story. And number three, make life better for those that did not have the benefits that you received.”
So now, Turner is starting his new path as a congressman, but his goal remains the same, take the path, however unconventional, that will best serve his community.
