Kay Granger, Texas Republican Pioneer, Dies at 83
Kay Granger, the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Texas and former chair of the House Appropriations Committee, died on August 2, 2026, as announced by her son J.D.
Kay Granger, the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Texas and former chair of the House Appropriations Committee, died on August 2, 2026, as announced by her son J.D. She served nearly three decades in Congress representing Texas's 12th district and was the first Republican woman to lead the House Appropriations Committee.
Kay Granger died at age 83, her son J.D. announced on August 2, 2026. Granger served nearly three decades in Congress, representing Texas's 12th district from 1997 to 2025. She was the first Republican woman elected to the U.S. House from Texas and the first woman mayor of Fort Worth. From 2023 to 2024 she chaired the House Committee on Appropriations, becoming the first Republican woman to lead that panel. Her death marks the passing of a trailblazer who reshaped Republican priorities on spending and women’s representation in Congress. Colleagues, including Speaker Mike Johnson, praised her as a barrier‑breaker for women in public service. The loss is felt across Texas and national politics as a reminder of the state’s shifting political landscape.
Early political milestones
Kay Granger began her congressional career in 1997 after winning election to represent Texas's 12th congressional district, a seat she held until 2025. She became the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, breaking a gender barrier in a state that had never before sent a woman of either party to Congress. Her victory marked the start of nearly three decades of service in Washington, where she built a reputation for fiscal discipline and constituent advocacy. Granger’s early rise was rooted in grassroots organizing and a steady climb through committee assignments, culminating in her historic appointment as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations in 2023.
Elected to U.S. House
Represented Texas's 12th congressional district
Chaired House Committee on Appropriations
Death announced by son J.D.
Tenure on Appropriations Committee
Kay Granger served as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations from 2023 to 2024, overseeing federal spending during a period of intense budget negotiations. In that role she became the first Republican woman to lead the committee, a milestone cited by Speaker Mike Johnson as evidence of her trailblazing impact on women in public service. [LOW CONFIDENCE — attribute, do not assert] Her tenure placed her at the center of decisions shaping national priorities while she continued to represent Texas’s 12th congressional district until she left Congress in 2025. Granger’s leadership combined procedural expertise with a focus on fiscal discipline, reinforcing the committee’s role as the House’s primary spending authority. She stepped down from the chairmanship at the end of 2024.
Legacy and public response
The death announcement on August 2, 2026, prompted tributes underscoring Kay Granger’s pioneering role. Speaker Mike Johnson called her “a dear friend who will be greatly missed,” highlighting her impact on legislative process and institutional culture. Her son J.D. shared the news publicly. Colleagues and party leaders noted her trailblazing path for women in Republican politics, citing her historic election to Congress and service as mayor of Fort Worth. The remarks reflected respect for her procedural expertise and enduring influence on Texas and national politics. Her legacy endures as a testament to sustained public service.
Speaker Johnson said Granger 'was a dear friend who will be greatly missed.'
Frequently asked questions
When did Kay Granger die?
Kay Granger died at age 83. Her death was announced on August 2, 2026, by her son J.D.
What position did Kay Granger hold in Congress?
She served as a U.S. Representative from Texas for nearly three decades, representing Texas's 12th congressional district from 1997 to 2025.
What historic firsts did Kay Granger achieve?
She was the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first woman to serve as mayor of Fort Worth, Texas. She also chaired the House Committee on Appropriations from 2023 to 2024.
Who announced Kay Granger's death?
Her son, J.D., announced her death on August 2, 2026, via a public statement confirming her passing at age 83.
What did Speaker Mike Johnson say about Kay Granger?
Speaker Mike Johnson described her as 'a dear friend who will be greatly missed' and said she 'broke barriers for women in public service'.
