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Norvell Kay Granger (born January 18, 1943) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 12th congressional district from 1997 to 2025. A Republican, Granger chaired the House Committee on Appropriations from 2023 to 2024.

Key Information

A former teacher and businesswoman, Granger served on the zoning commission of Fort Worth and on the Fort Worth City Council. She was elected as the first female mayor of Fort Worth in 1991 and served in that capacity until 1995. Granger was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996.[1] She is the first Republican woman elected to represent Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives and the first Republican woman to chair the House Committee on Appropriations.[2]

Granger did not seek reelection in 2024. Following several months of absence from the Capitol, she was confirmed in December 2024 to have been residing in a senior living facility in Fort Worth since July 2024.

Early life

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Granger was born in Greenville, Texas. She graduated from Eastern Hills High School in 1961 and from Texas Wesleyan University in 1965.[3]

Early career

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Granger is a former teacher and businesswoman. She served on the zoning commission of Fort Worth from 1981 to 1989 and on the Fort Worth City Council from 1989 to 1991. Granger was elected as the first female mayor of Fort Worth in 1991 and served in that capacity until 1995.[4][3]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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Granger, George W. Bush, and Sam Johnson
Granger with President Donald Trump at Game 5 of the 2019 World Series

Granger was first elected to Congress in 1996. She is a Republican.[5] After U.S. Representative Pete Geren announced he would retire in 1996, both the Democratic and Republican parties worked to recruit Granger to run for his seat.[6] Granger represented Texas's 12th congressional district from 1997 to 2025.[7]

In 2020, Granger received the endorsement of President Donald Trump for her re-election campaign.[8]

Tenure

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Granger was elected Conference Vice Chair, the fourth-ranking position among House Republicans, in 2006. She served as chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations. She also sat on the United States House Committee on Appropriations's Subcommittee on Defense (she is the first woman to do so) and the Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education Subcommittee. Granger also served as a House Deputy Whip.[9]

Granger was a member of the House Appropriations Committee for 25 years. She served as the ranking member of the Committee.[10] After the Republican Party gained a majority in the House of Representatives in the 2022 elections,[5] she was named chair of the Committee in January 2023.[11] Granger is the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee.[5] Granger stepped down from the Appropriations Committee chairship in April 2024.[12][13]

After being diagnosed with COVID-19, Granger was not present at Trump's second impeachment on January 13, 2021. She was one of four Republicans who did not vote on the impeachment. Granger stated that she opposed Trump's impeachment, however.[14][15]

Retirement

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On October 30, 2023, Granger confirmed that she would not run for re-election in 2024.[16] On March 22, 2024, she announced that she would step down as chair of the House Appropriations Committee as soon as the Republican Steering Committee chose her replacement,[12] which took place on April 10.[13] Granger's last recorded vote was on July 24, 2024;[17] she was then absent from the Capitol[18] until she returned to Washington in mid-November 2024 for a ceremony celebrating her work on the House Appropriations Committee.[19]

In December 2024, media reports confirmed that Granger had been residing in a senior living facility in Fort Worth since July 2024; her son said she had "dementia issues."[20] The incident sparked public backlash and renewed scrutiny of elderly politicians being allowed to serve in spite of advanced age and medical issues.[18][2][21]

Republican Craig Goldman was elected to represent Texas's 12th congressional district on November 5, 2024.

Political positions

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The Washington Post described Granger as socially centrist, but fiscally conservative.[22] In 2013, the National Journal, a nonpartisan organization, gave Granger a composite political ideology score of 73% conservative and 27% liberal.[23] According to FiveThirtyEight, as of February 2020, she voted with President Trump's position on legislative issues about 97% of the time.[24] By October 2021, she voted with President Biden's position on legislative issues about 11% of the time.[25]

Abortion

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Granger formerly supported abortion rights[26][27][28][29] and Roe v. Wade.[30][31] She reversed her position in 2020, asserting that she was anti-abortion, signing an amicus brief that asked the Supreme Court to overturn Roe.[32][33]

Granger's abortion reversal was especially significant given the fact that her 1996 campaign had been promoted by The WISH List, a pro-abortion rights PAC.[34][35][36] The WISH List had also supported her 2008 campaign.[37] Granger had received mixed ratings from groups that support legal abortion.[27] Prior to 2020, Granger had supported embryonic stem-cell research and voted against banning "chemically induced abortions."[38][39][40][41] As of 2013, she supported banning abortion after 20 weeks,[42] but asserted that abortion was not her top issue.[43] In 2017, she declined to cosponsor a bill to ban abortion after six weeks.[44] Granger voted for several spending bills that included funding for Planned Parenthood, including some introduced in 2018.[45] In 2018, she also introduced legislation banning federal funding for abortion with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the woman.[46] In 2019, Granger signed a letter to President Trump urging him to "veto any appropriations bill that weakens current pro-life protections".[47]

Other issues

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Granger is known for her support for defense spending.[5][10]

Granger voted several times in favor of an amendment to the United States Constitution to make it a crime to physically desecrate the American flag. She supported the Federal Marriage Amendment to define marriage as only permitted between a man and a woman, and also opposed letting same-sex couples adopt children.[48] Granger was one of four Republicans in the House not to vote for or against repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell, though she previously voted against other repeal proposals.[49][50] In 2017, she said she had "no comment" in response to Trump's decision to ban transgender troops from the military.[51] She did not vote for or against legislation opposing the ban of transgender troops.[50]

In June 2013, Granger was among the members of Congress to vote for an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 to restrict the Pentagon from entering into new contracts with Russia's state arms broker, Rosoboronexport.[52]

Kay Granger speaking at the 2015 Lincoln Day Dinner.

During her tenure, Granger supported more than $50 million in earmarks to infrastructure projects in Fort Worth that benefited the Trinity River Vision Authority, an organization led by her son.[53]

Kay Granger campaign sign in the Fort Worth Stockyards

Granger voted for a resolution supporting Israel following the October 7 attacks.[54][55]

Presidential candidate endorsements

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On September 25, 2007, Granger endorsed former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney in the Republican presidential primary.[56] She became national co-chair of the campaign organization Women for Mitt, filling a vacancy left by the death of Jennifer Dunn.[57]

In 2015, Granger opposed Donald Trump's 2016 presidential candidacy, saying, "He definitely should not be considered to speak for our nation as our president".[58] In 2020, however, she endorsed Trump and was endorsed by Trump.[8]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Writing

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In 2006, Granger published What's Right About America, Celebrating Our Nation's Values, a book reflecting on lessons from prominent figures of U.S. history.[67]

Personal life

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Granger has three children and five grandchildren. She is a member of the United Methodist Church.[68]

In December 2024, Granger was confirmed by The Dallas Morning News to have been residing in a senior living facility in Fort Worth since July 2024, concurrent with the final 6 months of her term. Her son said she had "dementia issues".[20] The Dallas Express had received a tip about Granger's dementia in 2023 but could not confirm it for publication.[69]

Honors

[edit]

Electoral history

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Texas's 12th congressional district: Results 1996–2022[73][74]
Year Democratic Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct Other Party Votes Pct
1996 Hugh Parmer 69,859 41.04% Kay Granger 98,349 57.78% Heather Proffer Natural Law 1,996 1.17%
1998 Tom Hall 39,084 36.28% Kay Granger 66,740 61.94% Paul Barthel Libertarian 1,917 1.78%
2000 Mark Greene 67,612 35.98% Kay Granger 117,739 62.66% Ricky L. Clay Independent 2,565 1.36%
2002 Kay Granger 121,208 91.87% Edward A. Hanson Libertarian 10,723 8.13%
2004 Felix Alvarado 66,316 27.68% Kay Granger 173,222 72.32%
2006 John R. Morris 45,676 31.09% Kay Granger 98,371 66.95% Gardner Osborne Libertarian 2,888 1.97%
2008 Tracey Smith 82,250 30.60% Kay Granger 181,662 67.59% Shiloh Sidney Shambaugh Libertarian 4,842 1.80%
2010 Tracey Smith 38,434 25.13% Kay Granger 109,882 71.86% Matthew Solodow Libertarian 4,601 3.01%
2012 Dave Robinson 66,080 26.68% Kay Granger 175,649 70.91% Matthew Solodow Libertarian 5,983 2.42%
2014 Mark Greene 41,757 26.31% Kay Granger 113,186 71.31% Ed Colliver Libertarian 3,787 2.39%
2016 Bill Bradshaw 76,029 26.85% Kay Granger 196,482 69.40% Ed Colliver Libertarian 10,604 3.75%
2018 Vanessa Adia 90,994 33.89% Kay Granger 172,557 64.27% Jacob Leddy Libertarian 4,940 1.84%
2020 Lisa Welch 121,250 33.04% Kay Granger 233,853 63.72% Trey Holcomb Libertarian 11,918 3.25%
2022 Trey Hunt 85,026 35.73% Kay Granger 152,953 64.27%

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kay Granger

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kay Granger (born Norvell Kay Smith; January 18, 1943) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 1997 to 2025. A Republican, she was the first woman to serve as of Fort Worth, holding the office from 1991 to 2003, and the first Republican woman elected to represent in . Granger chaired the House Committee on Appropriations during the 118th until stepping down early in 2024, amid reports of health challenges including that led to her prolonged absence from Washington and eventual retirement. Her tenure emphasized fiscal oversight and defense priorities, reflecting her background in and before entering national .

Early Life and Education

Upbringing and Family Influences

Kay Granger was born Norvell Kay Mullendore on January 18, 1943, in Greenville, . Her parents were Alliene Mullendore, a teacher for whom Alliene Mullendore Elementary School in Fort Worth is named, and Norvel Mullendore, who initially worked as a before transitioning to sales. She had an older sister, Mary Lynn Mullendore O'Day (1938–2020). The family soon relocated to Fort Worth, settling in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of East Fort Worth, where Granger was raised. This working-class area shaped her early experiences, with her upbringing emphasizing self-reliance amid modest circumstances. Granger attended Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth, graduating in 1961. Family influences centered on and perseverance, particularly from her mother's as an educator, which inspired Granger's own entry into teaching English at Richland High School after college. Her mother's dedication to teaching, evident in community recognition like the naming of the elementary school, underscored a household value of through knowledge and community involvement, though Granger later diverged into politics and business. Her father's shift from to sales may have modeled adaptability in professional roles.

Formal Education and Early Professional Steps

Kay Granger graduated from Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1961. She then attended Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, earning a degree in 1965, with coursework focused on English, , and a teaching certificate. Following her education, Granger began her professional career as a high school teacher, instructing in English and . She later operated an insurance agency, marking her entry into business ownership before transitioning to roles. These early steps provided her with experience in and , predating her involvement in local zoning and city council activities.

Local Government Career

Fort Worth City Council Tenure

Kay Granger was elected to the Fort Worth City Council in May , succeeding Russell Lancaster following his retirement and defeating challenger Morris Matson. She served as a council member from to 1991. Her council tenure built directly on her prior experience chairing the Fort Worth Zoning Commission from 1981 to , where she addressed land use and development matters. This background positioned her to influence local planning and growth policies during her time on the council, though detailed records of specific ordinances or votes from this brief period emphasize continuity with her zoning expertise rather than standalone initiatives. Granger's service ended in 1991 upon her election as mayor.

Mayoral Leadership in Fort Worth

Kay Granger was elected mayor of Fort Worth in 1991, becoming the first woman to hold the office, and served two terms until 1995. Upon taking office, the city faced a projected $27 million budget shortfall amid the closure of , which threatened local . Granger prioritized fiscal discipline, implementing measures to balance the budget without raising taxes, drawing on her business background to streamline city operations. A of her administration was aggressive reduction, achieved through innovative policing reforms including community-oriented strategies and increased officer deployment. These efforts resulted in a 49% drop in overall rates during her tenure, transforming Fort Worth from a grappling with to one recognized for public safety improvements. Granger's focus on data-driven enforcement targeted high- areas, contributing to broader neighborhood stabilization. Economically, Granger advocated for downtown revitalization projects that spurred private investment and commercial growth, positioning Fort Worth as a competitive regional hub in the early recovery from . Her initiatives emphasized public-private partnerships to redevelop underutilized properties, fostering job creation and infrastructure upgrades without excessive municipal debt. Under her leadership, the city experienced accelerated economic expansion, with Granger credited for laying groundwork that supported long-term diversification beyond military-dependent sectors.

U.S. Congressional Service

Elections and Path to Congress

Kay Granger transitioned from local politics to federal office by running for seat, which became open after three-term Democratic incumbent announced his retirement on December 15, 1995, amid speculation about party-switching pressures following the Republican congressional gains in 1994. Leveraging her visibility as Fort Worth's former mayor, Granger secured the Republican nomination in the March 12, 1996, primary and advanced to the general election. In the November 5, 1996, general election, Granger defeated Democratic nominee John M. Dyson, receiving 109,390 votes (54.07%) to Dyson's 88,066 (43.55%), with minor candidates and write-ins accounting for the remainder, flipping to Republican control for the first time since Reconstruction. This victory made her the first Republican woman from elected to the U.S. . She took office in January 1997 for the 105th . Granger faced limited opposition in subsequent reelection bids, reflecting the district's conservative tilt in Tarrant County and surrounding areas, where registered Republicans outnumbered Democrats. She won every from 1998 through 2022 with margins exceeding 30 percentage points, often against underfunded Democrats or third-party candidates; for instance, in , she garnered 121,208 votes (91.87%) against Libertarian Edward A. Hanson. Primary challenges were rare until , when she defeated conservative activist Chris Putnam 58% to 42%, amid debates over her support for bipartisan relief measures.
Election YearGeneral Election OpponentGranger's Vote Share
1996John M. Dyson (D)54.07%
2002Edward A. Hanson (L)91.87%
2022Trey Hunt (D)64.77%
Granger announced in October 2023 that she would not seek reelection in 2024, citing a desire to focus on Appropriations Committee leadership amid health concerns, allowing Republican state Senator Craig Goldman to succeed her unopposed in the primary and general.

Committee Assignments and Appropriations Influence

Kay Granger joined the House Committee on Appropriations upon her election to the 105th in January 1997, serving continuously on the panel for nearly three decades until her retirement at the end of the 118th in January 2025. Early in her tenure, she also held assignments on the Committee on National Security (predecessor to the Armed Services Committee) and the Joint Committee on Printing during the 105th . Her long service on Appropriations positioned her as a senior Republican voice on federal spending, where she focused on defense priorities, infrastructure, and district-specific allocations for , including funding for Fort Worth-area military installations like Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. Granger ascended through committee leadership ranks, becoming Vice Chair of the full Appropriations Committee and chairing subcommittees such as Defense Appropriations in prior sessions. In November 2018, House Republicans selected her as their for the 116th Congress (2019–2021), enhancing her influence over GOP strategy on spending bills amid . Following the Republican majority's gain in the elections, she assumed the chairmanship of the in 2023, marking her as the first Republican to lead the powerful panel responsible for allocating over $1 trillion in discretionary federal spending annually. In this role, she directed the markup and advancement of appropriations bills, emphasizing increased defense funding—such as boosting budgets beyond Democratic proposals—and incorporating policy riders to advance conservative objectives, including restrictions on certain domestic programs. Her influence extended to subcommittee assignments and roster adjustments, where she allocated Republican seats to balance expertise and priorities, such as strengthening Transportation-Housing and Urban Development or State-Foreign Operations panels. Granger's chairmanship proved pivotal in navigating internal GOP divisions, as she brokered compromises to advance spending packages despite resistance from fiscal hawks, crediting her bipartisan relationships forged over decades for enabling bill passage. This authority translated into tangible benefits for her district, securing federal investments in local projects like flood control and economic development, which local observers attributed directly to her appropriations leverage rather than broader congressional trends. She stepped down as chair on March 22, 2024, citing a desire to focus on remaining legislative work before retirement, though she continued as a committee member until term's end.

Legislative Priorities and Fiscal Conservatism

Kay Granger has emphasized fiscal restraint as a core legislative priority, particularly in her role as chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee since January 2023, where she has advocated for reducing non-defense to address what she describes as years of out-of-control federal expenditures. In June 2023, she announced topline funding targets for 2024 appropriations bills that fell below the levels agreed upon in the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act, aiming to allocate $1.47 trillion for non-defense —a reduction from prior years—and prioritizing "conservative bills that focus our limited resources on what matters most to the American people." Granger's approach to balances robust support for national defense with efforts to curb spending in other areas, reflecting her long-standing advocacy for military readiness amid perceived threats. She has secured significant increases for defense appropriations, including backing bills that bolster funding for priorities like border and veterans' services, while opposing unchecked expansions in domestic programs. For instance, in April 2023, she endorsed the Limit, Save, Grow Act, which sought $4.8 trillion in cuts over a alongside a debt ceiling increase, positioning it as essential to "get our fiscal in order" and avert default. Her voting record aligns with conservative fiscal principles, earning an 83% score from for the 117th (2021–2023), based on support for measures limiting , though it reflects occasional compromises on large omnibus packages amid procedural realities. Granger voted in favor of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which capped future spending growth and included clawbacks totaling about $1.5 trillion, helping to pass the 314–117 and facilitating debt ceiling resolution without immediate default. Critics from the right, including members, have occasionally faulted her for not pursuing deeper cuts, yet her leadership has been credited with advancing Republican goals like rescissions of unspent funds from prior administrations.

Stances on Core Issues

Granger maintains a pro-life stance, consistently voting to restrict federal funding for and protect unborn life. She supported legislation banning federal health coverage that includes abortion services and opposed measures that would weaken pro-life protections in appropriations bills. Her record includes votes to defund organizations providing abortions with taxpayer dollars, earning high marks from pro-life advocacy groups for defending infants and restricting elective procedures. On immigration and border security, Granger has advocated for stronger enforcement amid the southern border crisis, warning of escalating humanitarian and security risks under lax policies. She visited border facilities, inspected wall construction, and pushed for increased funding for operations and barriers to curb illegal crossings and trafficking. As a Texas representative, she criticized federal inaction, co-sponsoring efforts to address surges in unaccompanied minors and supporting state-federal partnerships for deterrence. Granger supports Second Amendment rights, receiving endorsements from the for her defense of gun owners and opposition to expansive control measures. She voted against lawsuits targeting manufacturers and sellers, shielding the industry from liability for criminal misuse, and backed prohibitions on restricting legal gun transfers. Her record aligns with pro-gun positions, including resistance to federal overreach on and background checks that burden lawful owners. In , Granger emphasizes through spending restraint as chair of the House Appropriations Committee, directing bills to levels below prior debt agreements and advocating deep cuts to non-essential programs. She stated that unchecked growth demands change, prioritizing reductions in discretionary outlays while scrutinizing earmarks and waste. This approach reflects her long-term push for balanced budgets and opposition to omnibus packages that inflate deficits without reforms. Regarding foreign aid, Granger has backed supplemental funding for allies like , voting for $14.3 billion in assistance amid conflicts, while exercising caution on unrestricted Ukraine packages to align with fiscal limits and strategic priorities. She supported the 2024 aid bundle providing resources for , , and Indo-Pacific security, but as appropriations leader, conditioned releases on oversight and linkages. Her votes prioritize U.S. interests, favoring targeted aid over open-ended commitments.

Controversies and Criticisms

Health and Capacity Debates

In late 2024, concerns about U.S. Representative Kay Granger's health and capacity to serve intensified after reports revealed her prolonged absence from . Granger, then 81 years old, had not cast a vote in the since July 24, 2024, missing 126 consecutive roll call votes and approximately 264 total votes for the year, marking the highest absenteeism rate in her congressional tenure. Her office had also shuttered its Washington, D.C., operations sometime before 2024, with staff reportedly unaware of her whereabouts for months. The situation escalated on December 22, 2024, when Granger's son, Brandon Granger, disclosed to The Dallas Express that she had been experiencing "some issues" and was residing in an facility in , rather than her own home. In response, Granger issued a statement acknowledging "health challenges" but providing no further details on her condition or living arrangements, emphasizing her intent to complete her term despite the absences. This revelation followed her March 2024 decision to step down as chair of the House Appropriations Committee, a position she had held since 2023, yielding it to Representative amid speculation about her fitness, though her office at the time attributed the move to routine leadership transitions. Granger's case fueled broader debates on the capacity of aging lawmakers, with critics arguing it exemplified systemic failures in congressional oversight of member fitness. Advocacy groups like U.S. Term Limits highlighted her absence as evidence for mandatory term limits, questioning whether representatives should continue serving from assisted living or memory care settings without formal competency evaluations. Political commentators and outlets, including The New York Times and Axios, linked it to ongoing scrutiny of senior congressional leaders, such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's 2023 freeze and Representative Nancy Pelosi's tenure into her 80s, calling for mechanisms like cognitive testing or age-based retirement mandates to prioritize merit over seniority. Supporters, including some Texas GOP figures, defended her legacy of fiscal conservatism and appropriations expertise, praising her December 2024 vote resumption on a short-term funding bill as a demonstration of residual capability, while attributing delays in disclosure to privacy concerns rather than evasion. Texas Republican leaders expressed mixed reactions, with some, like state Senator , urging greater transparency on health disclosures to maintain public trust, while others lauded Granger's service without pressing for . The episode underscored partisan divides: conservative outlets emphasized individual autonomy and criticized media delays in reporting, whereas progressive voices in The Hill framed it as symptomatic of institutional reluctance to address , potentially eroding legislative effectiveness. Granger announced her retirement effective at the end of the 118th in January 2025, precluding further capacity challenges in her seat but amplifying calls for reform in how handles member impairments.

Ideological Critiques from Right and Left

Conservative critics, particularly fiscal hawks, have accused Granger of insufficient commitment to spending restraint, pointing to her support for bipartisan omnibus packages that exceeded demands for cuts. In the 118th Congress, scored her at 52%, lower than many GOP peers, attributing the rating to votes enabling continued high federal outlays rather than aggressive reductions. Groups like labeled her voting record among the more liberal within the Republican conference, launching a seven-figure ad campaign in 2020 to back primary challenger Chris Putnam, who portrayed Granger as prioritizing establishment deal-making over taxpayer protection. Scorecard echoed this, citing alignments with and metrics that deemed her wanting, especially amid her Appropriations chairmanship where compromises averted shutdowns but preserved baseline spending levels. Further, hardline Republicans faulted her for opposing Jim Jordan's speakership bid in 2023, viewing it as institutional resistance to intra-party reform, and for departing a key budget meeting to attend an overseas event amid shutdown threats. From the left, Democrats and progressives have lambasted Granger for embedding social conservative priorities into appropriations, such as riders blocking federal funds for abortions even in cases endangering , as in the 2023 VA funding bill that rolled back Obama-era exceptions. These provisions, advanced under her leadership, prompted Democratic firewalls against what they termed undue restrictions on reproductive healthcare access post-Roe. On , Granger's advocacy for border security enhancements, including wall funding support, drew fire from liberal outlets and lawmakers for exacerbating humanitarian crises without pathways to citizenship, aligning with Trump-era enforcement over comprehensive reform. Progressive critiques also targeted her consistent pro-life scorecard from groups like , interpreting it as enabling a national rollback of rights through defunding mechanisms like the Hyde Amendment's perpetuation. Overall, left-leaning sources framed her tenure as entrenching partisan barriers to social spending expansions, prioritizing defense and border allocations over domestic equity programs.

Retirement and Post-Congressional Phase

Retirement Decision and Succession

On November 1, 2023, U.S. Representative Kay Granger announced she would not seek reelection to after completing her term ending January 3, 2025, stating it was time for "the next generation to step up" following nearly three decades of service. At age 80, Granger cited no explicit personal or health reasons at the time, emphasizing gratitude for her tenure as the district's representative since and her role as the first Republican woman from elected to the . The announcement opened the seat, prompting a competitive Republican primary in Texas's 12th district, a reliably conservative area encompassing Fort Worth and surrounding suburbs. State Representative advanced from the March 5, 2024, primary and secured the nomination by defeating business owner in a May 28 runoff, with Goldman receiving 50.6% of the vote. In the November 5 general election, Goldman defeated Democrat Trey Hunt by a wide margin, capturing over 60% of the vote in the GOP-dominated district. Goldman, a Fort Worth-area legislator since 2013, assumed office on January 3, 2025, pledging continuity in priorities like and local infrastructure funding. Granger's final months in office were marked by prolonged absences, with her last recorded vote on July 24, 2024, amid reports of health decline; her family later disclosed she had been experiencing dementia-related issues and residing in an facility in Fort Worth, though her office clarified it was not memory care. These challenges did not alter the succession process, as the decision predated their public emergence, but they fueled broader congressional debates on member age and capacity. Goldman has indicated plans to prioritize border security and appropriations influence, building on Granger's legacy as a committee leader.

Enduring Policy Impact

Granger's leadership in the House Appropriations Committee facilitated substantial investments in defense manufacturing, notably securing funding in the FY2024 Defense Appropriations bill for 86 assembled at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth facility, which supports high-skilled jobs and sustains a key pillar of 's industry. This procurement, building on prior boosts like the 2018 $675 billion defense bill's emphasis on F-35 production, ensures ongoing contracts that enhance U.S. air superiority and contribute to in through sustained employment exceeding thousands of positions. Her efforts also preserved Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth—initially saved during her mayoral tenure in the 1990s—generating $2.6 billion in annual economic output for as of 2021 via military operations and related activities. In infrastructure and , Granger directed earmarks with lasting regional benefits, including $160 million in the FY2025 appropriations for the Panther Island flood control project, completing a 1.5-mile bypass channel to safeguard 2,400 acres from flooding and enable future growth, with full implementation projected by 2032. She further allocated $35 million for Airport's apron and taxi lane expansions, bolstering a hub within AllianceTexas that now underpins 560 companies, 66,000 direct jobs, and $111 billion in cumulative economic impact—facilitated earlier by her support for a $260 million 2018 runway project. Additional FY2025 funding encompassed $25 million for Texas A&M-Fort Worth's Innovation Center and $10 million each for Tarrant County's training and TCU's research, embedding advancements in , , and that outlast her congressional service. Granger's fiscal conservatism shaped appropriations debates, as she advocated for defense prioritization over what she termed shortchanged allocations in Democratic proposals, while leveraging her position to curb overall spending growth and negotiate bipartisan continuations that prevented shutdowns. This approach, informed by her 25 years on the committee, influenced the distribution of trillions in federal dollars, emphasizing strategic investments over expansive domestic programs and leaving a framework for successors focused on and targeted .

Personal Life

Family Dynamics and Private Interests

Kay Granger, originally Norvell Kay, divorced her husband John Granger early in her career, becoming a single mother responsible for raising their three sons in Fort Worth, Texas. As a young educator post-divorce, she balanced professional demands with parenting, describing the period as one of financial and logistical hardship while working to support her family. Her sons—Brandon, J.D., and Zachary—grew up amid her ascent from local schoolteacher to city council member, with family members later engaging in Fort Worth-area business ventures, including real estate and event management. Family ties extended into professional spheres, as seen in connections between Granger's relatives and local entities like the Tarrant Regional Water District, where her daughter-in-law Shanna Granger served on the board until 2021 amid efforts to address perceptions. J.D. Granger, one son, held employment contracts with district-related projects, while the family maintained financial stakes in community events such as , reflecting intertwined personal and civic interests. These dynamics highlighted a pattern of familial support in Granger's network, though they occasionally drew scrutiny for potential conflicts in local governance. In her private life, Granger pursued as a , a creative outlet documented in congressional biographical records spanning her tenure. Beyond family obligations, her interests aligned with community advocacy, stemming from post- neighborhood initiatives like proposals that propelled her into . She maintained a low public profile on personal finances and leisure, prioritizing in both private and legislative spheres, with no reported remarriage or additional domestic partnerships after her .

Health Trajectory and Public Disclosures

In 2024, U.S. Representative Kay Granger, then aged 81, ceased participating in congressional proceedings, with her last recorded vote occurring in July of that year. This absence extended through the remainder of the year, resulting in her missing approximately 126 votes amid reports of deteriorating health. Sources indicated that Granger had relocated to an assisted-living facility in , following incidents including disorientation, though her office disputed characterizations of the residence as a dedicated memory care unit. Granger's son, Chris Granger, publicly confirmed in December 2024 that she was experiencing "dementia issues" which had intensified late in the year, contributing to her inability to travel to In a statement released via her office on December 22, 2024, Granger attributed her prolonged absence to "unforeseen health challenges" that had progressed since September, expressing gratitude to her family and staff for support while declining to provide further medical details. The office explicitly denied reports of residence in a memory care facility, asserting instead that she was in arrangements. Prior to these disclosures, Granger had not publicly addressed specific health impediments, though she noted in early 2025 reflections that travel difficulties related to her condition had influenced her 2023 decision against seeking re-election. The revelations sparked on congressional for aging members, with critics highlighting the lack of mandatory disclosures or term limits as enabling prolonged service despite evident impairments. No peer-reviewed medical documentation was released, and disclosures relied primarily on statements and communications rather than direct clinical verification. Granger's condition was not linked to any prior public announcements, marking the December 2024 statements as the first substantive acknowledgments of her trajectory.

Honors and Electoral Record

Awards and Recognitions

Kay Granger has received numerous awards recognizing her contributions to , economic policy, and community leadership. In 2020, she was presented with the Award, the highest honor from the National Guard Association of the , for her longstanding support of service members and their families. She also earned the Global War on Terrorism Coin from Secretary of Defense , one of the first such recognitions, acknowledging her early advocacy in the fight against . In recognition of her legislative efforts on and transportation, Granger received the Railroad Achievement Award from the Association of American Railroads in November 2019, honoring her leadership on policies benefiting the rail industry. For her support of small businesses and manufacturing, she was awarded the Guardian of Small Business Award from the and the Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award from the . In July 2024, the named her a of for defending retail interests. Granger's local impact was highlighted by her induction into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame and the 2012 Distinguished Community Health Champion Award for health policy advocacy. In February 2024, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce presented her with the Lonestar Statesman Award for bipartisan Texas leadership. She shared the Regional Visionary Award from the North Texas Commission in 2024 with Congressman Michael Burgess. In 2016, Texas Wesleyan University bestowed the Law Sone Medal upon her during its 125th anniversary gala. Most recently, in February 2025, Fort Worth Inc. designated her Person of the Year for advancing the city's economic development over decades. Additional honors include naming conventions such as Kay Granger Elementary School in the Northwest , opened in 2007, and Kay Granger Park in Fort Worth, reflecting her mayoral legacy. During her tenure as Fort Worth mayor, the city earned the All-American City designation from the National Civic League.

Summary of Electoral Victories

Kay Granger was first elected to represent in the U.S. on November 5, 1996, defeating Democrat Hugh Parmer in the open seat vacated by retiring incumbent . The district, encompassing parts of Fort Worth and surrounding Tarrant County areas, has consistently favored Republican candidates, enabling Granger's subsequent re-elections. Granger secured re-election in every from 1998 through , winning 13 additional terms for a total of 14 victories, often by wide margins reflective of the district's strong Republican tilt. In many cycles, Democratic challengers mounted limited campaigns, with Granger facing no well-funded opposition in her final run. Her victory over Democrat Trey Hunt exemplified this pattern, garnering 152,953 votes (64.3%) to Hunt's 85,026 (35.7%). Primary challenges were infrequent and unsuccessful; for instance, in the 2020 Republican primary, Granger defeated a business opponent amid scrutiny over local development issues, though her margin was narrower than in prior uncontested races. These consistent electoral successes underscored her entrenched support in until her announcement in 2023.

References

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