Kay Granger, who made history as Fort Worth's first female mayor and served nearly three decades in Congress, passed away on August 2, 2026, at the age of 83. Her death was announced by House Speaker Mike Johnson, though no cause has been disclosed.
Granger began her political career on the Fort Worth City Council before becoming mayor in 1991, holding the position until 1995. She was sworn into the U.S. House on January 3, 1997, representing Texas' 12th Congressional District, and was the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the House. Granger retired in January 2025, with Rep. Craig Goldman succeeding her.
In January 2023, Granger became the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, responsible for federal spending bills. She announced plans to step down from the role in March 2024, with Rep. Tom Cole taking over.
Granger was instrumental in various projects in Fort Worth, including the establishment of FedEx at the Alliance development and efforts to revitalize neighborhoods. She was also a strong advocate for the F-16 and F-35 programs at the Lockheed Martin plant. Additionally, she worked on the Panther Island flood control and redevelopment project, which has an estimated cost of $1.16 billion.
Granger had been living in a Fort Worth senior living facility since July 2024 due to health issues, including dementia. Local leaders, including Mayor Mattie Parker, expressed their condolences and highlighted her significant contributions to the community. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
