Former Congresswoman Kay Granger Passes Away at 83, Leaving a Legacy in Fort Worth and Washington
Former U.S. Representative Kay Granger, who served Texas' 12th Congressional District from 1997 to 2025, has passed away at the age of 83. Granger was a trailblazer in Fort Worth, becoming the city's first female mayor before moving on to a significant role in Congress. She was the first Republican woman from Texas to be elected to Congress and the first to chair the House Appropriations Committee. Her career in public service began with local activism against a proposed waste processing plant, leading to her election as mayor in 1991. Granger's tenure in Congress was marked by her influence on defense, foreign policy, and domestic spending, particularly benefiting North Texas. Despite health challenges in her final years, which included dementia and a prolonged absence from the House floor, her contributions to public service remain significant.