Kay Granger, the first Republican woman from Texas to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, died Sunday at the age of 83, her son J.D. Granger said. Granger served for nearly three decades and was a strong advocate for conservative values, including the importance of traditional families and individual liberty.

A Legacy of Public Service

Granger began her career as a high school teacher and a businesswoman, eventually becoming the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth, Texas. She was also the first Republican woman to chair one of the most powerful committees in Congress, the House Appropriations Committee.

First elected to the House in 1996, Granger did not seek reelection in 2024 and experienced worsening health challenges in her final months in Congress. Despite her health issues, Granger remained committed to her constituents and continued to fight for their rights and interests.

A Champion of Conservative Values

Granger was a strong supporter of pro-life advocates and worked tirelessly to promote the values of traditional families. She was also a champion of individual liberty, believing that every citizen deserves access to honest information and the freedom to form their own views.

House Speaker Mike Johnson praised Granger, saying she ‘broke barriers for women in public service’ and was a ‘dear friend who will be greatly missed.’ Granger’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of conservative leaders and public servants.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.