Mike Johnson Announces Death of Longtime House Republican Key Granger
Former Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), a longtime Texas lawmaker who broke multiple barriers for Republican women during nearly three decades in Congress, has died at the age of 83.
Granger’s son, J.D. Granger, confirmed her death Sunday. A cause of death was not immediately announced.
The former congresswoman had previously acknowledged experiencing “unforeseen health challenges” toward the end of her congressional career. Her family later revealed that dementia-related issues contributed to her extended absence from Washington during much of 2024.
Granger made history several times throughout her political career, becoming the first woman to serve as mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman from Texas elected to Congress and the first Republican woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) paid tribute to Granger following news of her death, highlighting her decades of public service.
“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 on X.
“Throughout her career, she broke barriers for women in public service,” the speaker added.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) similarly honored Granger, pointing to her work on behalf of the military and her home state.
“For nearly three decades, she championed North Texas, our Armed Forces, and a strong national defense,” Cruz said.
Rep. Craig Goldman (R-TX), who succeeded Granger in Texas’ 12th Congressional District, described his predecessor as a “legend” whose impact would continue to be felt.
“Kay will be greatly missed, but her incredible legacy will not be forgotten,” Goldman said.
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 working as a high school teacher and later building a career in the insurance industry.
Granger entered public service as a member of the Fort Worth Zoning Commission, where she served from 1981 until 1989. She subsequently joined the Fort Worth City Council.
In 1991, Granger made history by becoming the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth.
She served as mayor until 1995, focusing on issues including economic development, public safety and the city’s continued growth.
Granger then turned her attention to Washington.
She was elected to the House in 1996 and began representing Texas’ 12th Congressional District the following year.
Granger ultimately served 14 terms in Congress before retiring in January 2025.
During her lengthy tenure on Capitol Hill, Granger became particularly influential over federal spending and defense policy.
She spent 25 years on the House Appropriations Committee and rose to chair the committee after Republicans regained control of the House in 2023.
Her elevation made her the first Republican woman to lead the committee, which holds significant authority over how the federal government spends taxpayer money.
Granger stepped down as chairwoman in April 2024.
National defense remained one of her major priorities throughout her congressional career, per the Conservative Brief.
She became the first woman to chair the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and was a prominent supporter of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program, which has significant ties to Fort Worth through Lockheed Martin’s operations in the area.
Her work made her a prominent advocate for both the US military and the defense industry in her congressional district.
Granger announced in 2023 that she would not seek another term, bringing a congressional career spanning nearly three decades to an end.
She remained in office through the completion of her final term before officially retiring in January 2025.
Her death prompted Republicans in Washington and Texas to remember a political career defined by a series of firsts and decades representing the Fort Worth area in Congress.
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