Kay Granger, the first female mayor of Fort Worth and a long-serving Congresswoman, passed away on August 2, 2026, at the age of 83. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed her death in a post on X, although no cause was provided.
Granger began her political career on the Fort Worth City Council before being elected mayor in 1991, serving 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 to serve in the House.
Granger held her congressional seat for nearly 28 years, retiring in January 2025, with Rep. Craig Goldman succeeding her.
In January 2023, she became the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees federal spending bills. Granger announced in March 2024 her intention to step down from this role before the end of her term, with Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma taking over.
Granger is credited with various projects in Fort Worth, including attracting FedEx to the Alliance development and advocating for the F-16 and F-35 programs at the Lockheed Martin plant. She also worked on the Panther Island flood control and redevelopment project, which has an estimated cost of $1.16 billion.
In her later years, Granger faced health challenges, including dementia, and had been living in a senior facility since July 2024. Local leaders, including Mayor Mattie Parker and Sen. Ted Cruz, have expressed their condolences and highlighted her significant contributions to the community. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
