Former Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger passed away Sunday evening at age 83, ending a career that shattered barriers for Republican women in politics and left a lasting mark on Fort Worth and the nation.

Granger served Texas's 12th Congressional District from 1997 to 2025, rising to become the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Her tenure culminated in chairing the powerful House Appropriations Committee from 2023 to 2024, making her one of the most influential legislators on Capitol Hill during her final years in office.

First to Break the Glass Ceiling

Before her nearly three decades in Congress, Granger made history as Fort Worth's first female mayor, serving from 1991 to 1995. A former teacher and businesswoman, she worked her way through local government via the city's zoning commission and city council before winning the mayoral race.

Her election to the House in 1996 marked another milestone. As the first Republican woman to represent Texas in Congress, Granger opened doors for generations of conservative women seeking elected office in a state where political leadership had long been dominated by men.

Appropriations Power and Legacy

Granger's ascent to chair the House Appropriations Committee represented the pinnacle of her legislative career. The committee controls federal spending across all government agencies, giving its chair extraordinary influence over national priorities and the federal budget.

Throughout her time in Congress, Granger focused on defense spending, veterans' issues, and support for military installations in Texas. Her district included Fort Worth, home to major defense contractors and military facilities that benefited from her strategic position on the Appropriations Committee.

Final Years and Retirement

Granger announced in October 2023 that she would not seek reelection, bringing her House tenure to a close in January 2025. Her final months in office drew scrutiny when reports emerged in December 2024 that she had been living in an assisted living facility and had not cast a vote since July of that year.

The revelations sparked debate about congressional age limits and the pressures facing aging lawmakers, though colleagues from both parties praised her decades of public service upon her retirement.

Granger's death marks the end of an era for North Texas Republicans and for women in GOP leadership nationwide. Her career stands as proof that conservative women could rise to the highest levels of legislative power, paving the way for those who followed.