How Much Does Sylvester Turner Make as the Mayor of Houston? Find Out Here!

Sylvester Turner is the 62nd mayor of Houston, Texas, and a prominent figure in the Democratic Party. He has been serving as the mayor since 2016, after winning two close elections against his opponents. Turner is known for his leadership skills, his ability to find compromises, and his advocacy for renewable energy, pension reform, and homelessness solutions.

But who is Sylvester Turner, really? What is his background, his personal life, and his achievements? How much does he earn as the mayor of Houston, and what is his net worth? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we explore the life and career of Sylvester Turner.

Houston mayor Sylvester Turner Salary

Sylvester Turner’s annual salary as the mayor of Houston is $236,1891. This makes him the third highest paid mayor in the nation, after the mayors of San Francisco and Los Angeles. His salary is also four times the median household income of Houston. However, his net worth is not publicly disclosed and different sources have different estimates.

Turner’s annual salary as the mayor of Houston is $236,189, according to the city’s website. His net worth, however, is not publicly disclosed, and different sources have different estimates. Turner’s net worth is $2 million. it is between $100,000 and $1 million. Turner has not confirmed or denied any of these figures, so they should be taken with a grain of salt.

Early Life and Education

Sylvester Turner was born on September 27, 1954, in Houston, Texas, as the sixth of nine children. He grew up in the Acres Homes, a semi-rural African-American neighborhood in northwest Houston, where his parents worked as a commercial painter and a maid at the Rice Hotel. Turner did not realize he was poor until people told him he was, but he always had food, clothes, and a roof over his head.

Turner was a bright student who graduated as the valedictorian of Klein High School in 1973. He then attended the University of Houston, where he studied political science and was the only African American on the school’s debate team. He graduated magna cum laude in 1977 and received a full scholarship to Harvard Law School, where he earned his J.D. degree in 1980. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Harvard.

Legal and Political Career

After graduating from Harvard, Turner returned to Houston and co-founded the law firm Barnes & Turner with his partner Barry M. Barnes in 1983. The firm specialized in civil litigation, personal injury, and probate law. Turner also became involved in politics and ran for Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 1 in the Democratic primary in 1984, but lost to El Franco Lee.

In 1988, Turner was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in House District 139 in Harris County and remained in office until 2016. During his tenure, he served on various committees, including Appropriations, State Affairs, and Higher Education. He also held leadership positions, such as Speaker Pro Tempore from 2003 to 2009 and Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2009 to 2011. He authored and sponsored many bills, especially on education, health care, criminal justice, and consumer protection.

Turner also ran for mayor of Houston three times, in 1991, 2003, and 2015. He lost the first two times, in 1991 to Bob Lanier and in 2003 to Bill White. In 1991, he was also involved in a scandal, when an investigative report by KTRK-TV accused him of being part of an insurance fraud scheme. Turner sued the station and the reporter, Wayne Dolcefino, and won a $5.5 million libel settlement, which was later reduced to $3.25 million by the judge and then overturned by the Texas Supreme Court.

In 2015, Turner finally won the mayoral election, 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. He was sworn in as the 62nd mayor of Houston on January 2, 2016, becoming the second African American mayor of the city, after Lee P. Brown. He was re-elected for a second term in 2019, beating Tony Buzbee by 56-44 percent.

As the mayor of Houston, Turner has faced many challenges and opportunities, such as hosting the Super Bowl LI in 2017, cheering on the World Series-winning Houston Astros in 2017, leading the city’s recovery from Hurricane Harvey in 2017, winning the bid to host the World Petroleum Congress in 2020, expanding the city’s investments in renewable energy, championing historic pension reform, and addressing the issue of homelessness. He has also been praised for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing mask mandates, testing sites, vaccination clinics, and relief funds.

Personal Life

Turner was married to Cheryl Turner from 1983 to 1991, and they have one daughter, Ashley Paige Turner, who is a graduate of Rice University and Harvard Law School. Turner is currently single and lives in the Acres Homes, where he grew up. He is a member of the Brookhollow Baptist Church and enjoys reading, running, and watching sports.

Conclusion

Sylvester Turner is a remarkable man who has overcome poverty, racism, and adversity to become one of the most influential and respected leaders in Texas and the nation. He has dedicated his life to public service, law, and education, and has made a positive impact on the lives of millions of Houstonians. He is a role model for many young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who aspire to achieve their dreams.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

• Q: How old is Sylvester Turner?
  • A: Sylvester Turner is 68 years old as of 2023. He was born on September 27, 1954.
• Q: Is Sylvester Turner married?
  • A: Sylvester Turner is not married. He was divorced from his ex-wife, Cheryl Turner, in 1991. He has one daughter, Ashley Paige Turner.
• Q: Is Sylvester Turner gay?
  • A: Sylvester Turner is not gay. He has never publicly addressed any rumors or allegations about his sexual orientation.
• Q: How long has Sylvester Turner been the mayor of Houston?
  • A: Sylvester Turner has been the mayor of Houston since January 2, 2016. He is currently serving his second term, which will end in 2023.
• Q: What party does Sylvester Turner belong to?
  • A: Sylvester Turner belongs to the Democratic Party. He has been a member of the party since he started his political career in 1984.
• Q: What are some of Sylvester Turner’s achievements as the mayor of Houston?
  • A: Some of Sylvester Turner’s achievements as the mayor of Houston include:
    • Hosting the Super Bowl LI in 2017 and the World Petroleum Congress in 2020
    • Leading the city’s recovery from Hurricane Harvey in 2017
    • Expanding the city’s investments in renewable energy
    • Championing historic pension reform
    • Addressing the issue of homelessness
    • Handling the COVID-19 pandemic
• Q: What are some of the challenges that Sylvester Turner faces as the mayor of Houston?
  • A: Some of the challenges that Sylvester Turner faces as the mayor of Houston include:
    • Managing the city’s budget and debt
    • Improving the city’s infrastructure and transportation
    • Reducing crime and violence
    • Promoting economic development and job creation
    • Enhancing the city’s diversity and inclusion
• Q: Where did Sylvester Turner go to school?
  • A: Sylvester Turner went to Klein High School, where he graduated as the valedictorian in 1973. He then went to the University of Houston, where he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1977. He then went to Harvard Law School, where he earned his J.D. degree in 1980.
• Q: What is Sylvester Turner’s net worth?
  • A: Sylvester Turner’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, and different sources have different estimates. According to Famous People Today, Turner’s net worth is $2 million, while according to CelebsMoney, it is between $100,000 and $1 million. Turner has not confirmed or denied any of these figures, so they should be taken with a grain of salt.
• Q: How can I contact Sylvester Turner?
  • A: You can contact Sylvester Turner by using the following methods:
    • Email: mayor@houstontx.gov
    • Phone: 713-837-0311
    • Mail: Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston, P.O. Box 1562, Houston, TX 77251
    • Social media: [Facebook], [Twitter], [Instagram], [YouTube]