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 was provided.
Granger began her political career on the Fort Worth City Council before being elected mayor in 1991, holding the position until 1995. She took office in the U.S. House on January 3, 1997, representing Texas' 12th Congressional District and marking a significant milestone as the first Republican woman from Texas to serve in the House.
After nearly 28 years in Congress, she retired in January 2025, with Rep. Craig Goldman succeeding her.
Throughout her career, Granger was instrumental in various projects in Fort Worth. She played a key role in attracting FedEx to the Alliance development and was involved in neighborhood revitalization efforts aimed at reducing crime rates.
In Congress, she consistently supported the F-16 and F-35 programs at the Lockheed Martin plant, the city's largest employer, and worked on the $1.16 billion Panther Island flood control and redevelopment project.
