Former Texas Rep. Kay Granger, Trailblazing Republican Leader, Dies at 83

Former Rep. Kay Granger, the Texas Republican who broke historic barriers as the first Republican woman elected to Congress from her state and the first Republican woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee, has died at 83.

Her son, J.D. Granger, confirmed her death. A cause was not immediately disclosed. Granger had acknowledged experiencing unforeseen health challenges during the final months of her congressional career, and her family later revealed that dementia-related issues contributed to her extended absence from Washington in 2024.

Granger’s death prompted tributes from Republican leaders and Texas officials, who remembered her as a dedicated public servant whose career spanned nearly three decades in Congress and included influential roles in local government and national defense.

House Speaker Mike Johnson described Granger as a close friend and praised her lifelong commitment to Fort Worth, Texas, and the nation. In a tribute posted on X, Johnson highlighted her career as a teacher, businesswoman, city council member, mayor and congressional leader, emphasizing the barriers she broke for women in public service.

Granger made history in Fort Worth before taking her career to Washington, becoming the city’s first female mayor in 1991. She later became the first Republican woman elected to represent Texas in the House and the first Republican woman to lead the Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Ted Cruz also honored Granger’s legacy, citing her decades of work on behalf of North Texas, the U.S. military and national defense.

Rep. Craig Goldman, the Republican who succeeded Granger in Texas’ 12th Congressional District, called her a legend whose impact on the community would endure.

From Fort Worth to the Halls of Congress

Born Norvell Kay Granger on Jan. 18, 1943, in Greenville, Texas, Granger grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from Eastern Hills High School. She earned a degree from Texas Wesleyan University in 1965 before beginning her professional career as a high school teacher and later working in the insurance industry.

A mother of three, Granger entered public service through the Fort Worth Zoning Commission, where she served from 1981 to 1989, before joining the City Council.

In 1991, she became Fort Worth’s first female mayor, serving until 1995. Her administration emphasized economic development, public safety and efforts to support the city’s continued growth.

Granger entered national politics in 1996, winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives. She represented Texas’ 12th Congressional District from 1997 until her retirement in January 2025, serving 14 terms and becoming one of the state’s most influential Republican lawmakers.

A Powerful Voice on Appropriations and National Defense

In Congress, Granger developed a reputation as a conservative legislator focused on federal spending, national security and the needs of her constituents.

She spent 25 years on the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees federal government spending, before becoming chairwoman in 2023 after Republicans regained control of the House.

Her rise to the committee’s leadership marked a historic milestone for Republican women in Congress. She stepped down from the chairmanship in April 2024.

National defense remained one of Granger’s defining priorities. As the first woman to chair the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, she became a prominent advocate for military funding and programs supporting the U.S. armed forces.

She was particularly influential in backing the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program, manufactured by Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, making defense spending a significant connection between her congressional work and the regional economy.

Her legislative priorities reflected a longstanding commitment to maintaining American military strength while supporting the defense industry and jobs in North Texas.

A Legacy of Breaking Barriers

In 2023, Granger announced that she would not seek reelection, bringing her nearly three-decade congressional career toward its conclusion. She remained in office until January 2025, although health challenges affected her participation during her final months.

Her career connected local leadership in Fort Worth with influential positions in Washington, where she helped shape federal spending priorities and defense policy.

For Republican colleagues and officials in Texas, Granger’s legacy extends beyond the historic positions she held. Her rise from city government to congressional leadership established a path for women in Republican politics and demonstrated the influence that sustained public service could bring to a local community.

As tributes continue, Granger is being remembered as a pioneering lawmaker, a longtime advocate for North Texas and a prominent figure in the House whose influence reached far beyond her district.