Kay Granger, the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first female mayor of Fort Worth, died Sunday at the age of 83, according to her son, J.D. Granger.
House Speaker Mike Johnson described Granger as a dear friend who will be greatly missed
, stating on X that she broke barriers for women in public service
throughout her career. Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz noted that Granger lived a life of historic firsts
and spent nearly three decades championing the Armed Forces, national defense, and North Texas.
A Career of Political Firsts
Granger’s entry into public service began on the Fort Worth zoning commission and the city council. She later became the first woman elected as mayor of Fort Worth, serving from 1991 to 1995. During her mayoral tenure, she implemented Code: Blue
programs, which utilized private sector partnerships to attract major businesses and citizen patrol initiatives that halved the city’s crime rate. These efforts to resuscitate the economic fortunes of Fort Worth garnered national attention.
In 1996, Granger was recruited by both political parties to run for the U.S. House of Representatives and won as a Republican. After entering Congress, she served on an advisory board for then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich and held seats on the House Oversight, Budget, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. She eventually resigned those roles to join the House Appropriations Committee.
Granger achieved another milestone in 2023 when Republicans took control of the House, making her the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee. In this role, she focused on defense spending—specifically championing the production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in Fort Worth—and sought steeper non-defense spending cuts than the figures agreed upon by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to avoid a government default.
Early Life and Professional Background
A 1965 graduate of Texas Wesleyan University, Granger initially considered fashion design before following her mother into teaching. She spent nine years in the Birdville school district teaching journalism and English literature. Following a divorce, she transitioned into the business world to increase her income, selling insurance from home while her mother, Alliene Mullendore, helped care for her children after suffering a stroke. Granger managed a successful insurance business for more than 20 years.
Reflecting on that period in a 2008 profile with The Hill, Granger described the struggle of being a high school teacher and mother to three children—including 6-month-old twins and a 2-year-old—after her husband left, stating, you just fight your way through the day.
Final Months and Legacy
Granger did not seek reelection in 2024. A statement from her office in December 2024 cited worsening health challenges
that made travel to Washington both difficult and unpredictable
starting in early September of that year. She did not cast a vote in Washington after July 2024. Her son later told the Dallas Morning News that she experienced some dementia issues late in the year
.
Despite her health struggles, Granger was named Fort Worth Inc.’s 2025 Person of the Year for her lasting impact on the city and decades of service. Republican Congressman Craig Goldman, who succeeded her in representing the 12th District, called her a legend
who transformed the city she loved.
Former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price described her as a force to be reckoned with
and a true Texas trailblazer
, while current Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker identified Granger as a mentor and tenacious leader.
Summary of Key Achievements
| Role/Achievement | Significance |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Fort Worth (1991–1995) | First woman elected to the position |
| U.S. House of Representatives (elected 1996) | First Republican woman from Texas elected to the House |
| House Appropriations Committee Chair (2023) | First Republican woman to chair the committee |
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