Longtime Fort Worth Republican Kay Granger will not seek reelection to U.S. House

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger will not seek reelection after more than two decades in Congress.

The high-ranking Fort Worth Republican made the announcement Wednesday morning amid speculation that she’d soon retire from Congressional District 12. She’ll leave behind a position where she has considerable sway over federal spending and open up a seat that has a history of being held by influential lawmakers.

She’ll also leave her mark as a trailblazer for women in local and federal politics.

“As I announce my decision to not seek re-election, I am encouraged by the next generation of leaders in my district. It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people,” Granger said. “Although I am not running for re-election, I plan to serve out the remainder of my term and work with our new Speaker and my colleagues to advance our conservative agenda and finish the job I was elected to do.”

Granger, a Republican whose district includes much of western Tarrant County and Parker County, made history in 1997 when she became the first Republican woman to represent Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the years since, she has risen in ranks to lead the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

“Kay has been a great friend of mine for over 40 years,” said U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, a Willow Park Republican. “It has been a pleasure to work with her in the House where together we have accomplished important conservative wins for Texas and our country. She is one of the great public servants of our nation, state, and the Fort Worth community.”

Before joining Congress, Granger served as on Fort Worth City Council and as Fort Worth’s first woman mayor. She is a lifelong Fort Worth resident, according to a biography on her congressional website.

Granger “is a trailblazer in every sense of the word,” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in a post on the social media platform X. Parker praised Granger’s work pushing for fiscal responsibility and national defense, while calling the longtime congresswoman a mentor and a friend.

Granger previosuly worked as a high school journalism and English teacher and was a small business owner.

“As a constituent who has known Congresswoman Granger since her days as a high school teacher, I have great appreciation for her years of public service and the consistent support she provides to Fort Worth and Tarrant County, particularly our military service members and veterans,” said Sen. Kelly Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican.

Granger’s leadership in the House made Fort Worth and Tarrant County a leader in the national defense industry, greatly improving the region’s economic development, Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez said both in a phone interview and in a post on X.

Ross Perot Jr., chairman of Hillwood and The Perot Group, praised her work in the aerospace and defense industry and on infrastructure needs in the Alliance corridor and Fort Worth.

Granger listed national defense as a top funding priority in an interview with the Star-Telegram, shortly after she was named as appropriations chair. Fort Worth is home to Bell and Lockheed Martin, which have been federal contractors.

“Kay Granger is living legend among us because of her steadfast leadership and the many contributions she has made to this region through her public service,” he said in a statement.

Granger’s congressional work also includes the push for funding for Panther Island, though she voted against a $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill that included funding for the project. She still supported the project but was opposed to other measures in the legislation.

Panther Island aims to connect two sections of the Trinity River to create a 338-acre island and San Antonio style river walk north of downtown Fort Worth. It was first proposed in 2001 as a way to buttress the levee system built in the 1960s to protect Fort Worth from dangerous river flooding.

“Despite our policy differences, I am incredibly proud to work alongside her to deliver results on a number of key priorities for our shared hometown of Fort Worth,” said Rep. Marc Veasey, a Fort Worth Democrat who has worked Granger on the project, in a post on X. “I am grateful to call her a friend, and I wish her all the best in this new chapter.”

More recently, Granger made news for voting against Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, for House speaker — a vote she defended on social media. Critics commented that she was a RINO — which stands for “Republican in name only” — and predicted conservative challengers come the 2024 Republican primary.

Granger ultimately voted for Rep. Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican and the chamber’s newly-elected speaker.

Granger’s term ends in 2024, opening up what could be a long list of potential contenders for her seat. Candidate filing begins Nov. 11 in Texas and runs through Dec. 11.

Some weighed in on what they hope to see in a potential candidate.

Whoever succeeds Granger in Congress must be focused on results and not rhetoric to continue her legacy of promoting Tarrant County’s economic development and quality of life, said Ramirez, a Tarrant County commissioner. He was focused on the commissioners court but didn’t rule out a run.

State Rep. Nate Schatzline, a Fort Worth Republican who said people have reached out to him about running but remains focused on the special legislative session, called for an “America first candidate who has the fortitude to stand up to the swamp!”

State Rep. Craig Goldman has also been mentioned as a potential contender, but didn’t confirm his plans to the Star-Telegram Wednesday.

“As Congresswoman Kay Granger announces that she will not seek another term, today is an opportunity to reflect back on the many positive contributions she has made to Fort Worth, our state and our nation,” Goldman said in a statement. He noted she was the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations, adding “In that role, she has been an effective, consistent advocate for a strong national defense, including the F-35 ‘Lightning’ aircraft built right here in Fort Worth.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, at least one Republican was in the race: John O’Shea, a construction company owner who has the support of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, had announced his bid. His candidacy came prior to Granger’s reelection announcement.

“There is always hope!” he said in a post on X. “We were able to collectively defeat the most powerful member of Congress with a grassroots movement. I want to thank all of you patriots for your support. This is a victory we share together! I am forever humbled.”

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s full statement

“Today I am announcing that I will not seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives in 2024. Serving my community has been the greatest honor, and I have always fought to improve the lives of my constituents. As the first female Mayor of Fort Worth, first Republican United States Congresswoman from Texas, and the first female Republican Appropriations Chair, I have been able to accomplish more in this life than I could have imagined, and I owe it all to my incredible family, staff, friends, and supporters. The United States of America is the greatest country in the world because of our people and the vision of our Founding Fathers who created a nation that ensures every man, woman and child has the opportunity to succeed.

As I announce my decision to not seek re-election, I am encouraged by the next generation of leaders in my district. It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people.

Although I am not running for re-election, I plan to serve out the remainder of my term and work with our new Speaker and my colleagues to advance our conservative agenda and finish the job I was elected to do.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.