Former Republican Rep. Kay Granger of Texas, a pioneering figure in Lone Star State politics and the first Republican woman elected to represent Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives, has died at the age of 83.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other officials confirmed Granger’s death Sunday night. No official cause of death was immediately announced.
Granger was first elected to Congress in 1997 and went on to serve nearly three decades in the House of Representatives. During her time in office, she achieved several historic milestones, including becoming the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee.
Her final months in office drew public attention after she stopped voting on legislation in July 2024. Granger spent the last several months of her fourteenth congressional term in an assisted living facility.
According to the Dallas Express, Granger moved into the facility after she was found wandering and confused near a former residence in the Cultural District and West 7th neighborhood.
Following news of her passing, Johnson remembered Granger as a dedicated public servant whose career spanned multiple levels of government and left a lasting impact on both Texas and the nation.
“Kay Granger devoted her life to serving her Fort Worth, Texas community — as a teacher and businesswoman, on the Fort Worth Zoning Commission and City Council, as Mayor, and in Congress for nearly three decades, where she also served as Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee,” Johnson wrote in a post on X.
Johnson also highlighted Granger’s role in breaking barriers for women in public office throughout her career.
“Throughout her career, she broke barriers for women in public service,” he wrote. “She was the first woman to serve as Mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman elected to represent Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee.”
The House speaker extended his condolences to Granger’s family and those who knew her.
“Kelly and I send our prayers to her family, loved ones, and the Fort Worth community as we remember her extraordinary life of service and lasting legacy,” Johnson said. “She was a dear friend who will be greatly missed.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker also honored Granger’s legacy, remembering her as both a trailblazer and a mentor.
In a post on Facebook, Parker described Granger as a determined leader whose accomplishments opened doors for future generations of women in politics.
“Kay Granger was a trailblazer and tenacious leader,” Parker wrote. “Among her many achievements, she was the first woman to be elected Mayor of Fort Worth and the first Republican woman to serve from Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Parker reflected on the years she worked alongside Granger, praising her dedication and commitment to public service.
“Over the years that I worked with Kay, I learned from her indelible spirit, work ethic, constant sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Texas and Fort Worth,” Parker said. “I’m fortunate to have called her a mentor and friend. To Kay’s family, my prayers are with you.”
She concluded her tribute by writing, “What a lady, and the end of an era in political service.”
Granger’s career was marked by a series of historic firsts, and she remained a prominent figure in Texas politics throughout her decades of service, leaving behind a legacy remembered by colleagues and local leaders alike.
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