💔 TRAGIC NEWS: Former Rep. Kay Granger, Trailblazing Texas Republican, Dies at 83

FORT WORTH, Texas – Former U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a pioneering Texas Republican who made history in Fort Worth and Washington, has died at 83, bringing an end to a nearly four-decade career in public service. Granger died Aug. 2, 2026, according to the U.S. House Office of the Historian. She represented Texas’ 12th Congressional District from 1997 until her retirement in January 2025, serving 14 consecutive terms and becoming one of the most influential members of the Texas congressional delegation. Throughout her career, Granger achieved several historic milestones. In 1991, she became the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth. Five years later, she won a seat in Congress, becoming the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House. In 2023, she reached another landmark achievement when she became the first Republican woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Born Norvell Kay Mullendore on Jan. 18, 1943, in Greenville, Texas, Granger grew up in Fort Worth. She graduated from Eastern Hills High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan University in 1965. Before entering politics, she worked as a teacher and later pursued a career in business. Her public-service journey began in Fort Worth, where she served on the city’s Zoning Commission from 1981 to 1989 and on the City Council from 1989 to 1991.

As mayor from 1991 to 1995, Granger confronted major economic and civic challenges, including defense-industry layoffs and uncertainty surrounding Carswell Air Force Base. She advocated for the base’s continued military use, helping support efforts that eventually led to its transition into a Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. Her record in local government helped establish the foundation for her successful congressional campaign in 1996.

Congressional Career and Leadership

Granger joined the House Appropriations Committee in 1999 and spent much of her congressional career working on federal spending legislation. The committee plays a central role in determining how federal funds are allocated across government agencies and national priorities. She became the committee’s top Republican before being selected as chairwoman in 2023. Her appointment marked the first time a Republican woman had led the influential panel.

Defense policy was a particularly important focus of Granger’s work. She became a strong supporter of military funding and helped advocate for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, which has significant economic ties to the Fort Worth area. In 2017, she became the first woman to chair the Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee, further expanding her influence over military spending and national-security priorities.

Legacy and Tributes

Granger announced in 2023 that she would not seek reelection and left Congress in January 2025. Her retirement marked the conclusion of a political career that began in local government and ultimately placed her at the center of federal budget negotiations. Following news of her death, political leaders and former colleagues paid tribute to her service. House Speaker Mike Johnson described Granger as a trailblazer who broke barriers for women in public service. Fort Worth officials also remembered her contributions to the city she represented for decades.

Granger’s legacy extends from Fort Worth City Hall to the U.S. Capitol. Her career was defined by historic achievements, sustained attention to defense and federal spending, and nearly 30 years representing the people of North Texas. For Fort Worth, Texas and the House Appropriations Committee, her death marks the loss of a longtime public servant whose influence helped shape local and national affairs for generations.