Longtime Texas Rep. Kay Granger won’t seek reelection

Rep. Kay Granger (Texas), a veteran Republican lawmaker and chair of the House Appropriations Committee, announced Wednesday that she would not be seeking reelection.

“As I announce my decision to not seek re-election, I am encouraged by the next generation of leaders in my district,” Granger said in a statement. “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, 80, was first elected to the House in 1997 after serving as the mayor of Forth Worth. She was the first woman to represent Texas in the House and the first female mayor of Forth Worth.

The district leans conservative and is expected to remain in GOP hands after the 2024 election.

The Texas congresswoman said serving her community has “been the greatest honor.”

“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,” Granger’s statement said.

Granger will serve exactly 28 years in the House. She was elected to the on Jan. 3, 1997 and her term will expire on Jan. 3, 2025.

Granger said she intends to serve the remainder of her term and work with the House’s new Speaker, Mike Johnson (R-La.) “to advance our conservative agenda.”

Granger played a role in the GOP’s battle over electing a new Speaker in October.

After then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was unseated, Granger cast votes against Speaker-designate Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on the floor after Jordan was put forward as a nominee when Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) bowed out of the race after winning an initial internal vote.

Scalise was opposed by supporters of Jordan. Republicans upset with the treatment of Scalise, and a number of appropriators stung by Jordan’s efforts on spending bills over the the years, were among those who voted against him on the floor.

Granger will serve as the top appropriator in upcoming discussions about government spending, as the House tries to pass remaining appropriations bills before the Nov. 17 government shutdown deadline.

This story was updated at 2:56 p.m.