Kay Granger
Kay Granger (born Norvell Kay Smith; January 18, 1943) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 12th congressional district from 1997 to 2025.[1] A Republican, she was the first woman to serve as mayor of Fort Worth, holding the office from 1991 to 2003, and the first Republican woman elected to represent Texas in Congress.[1] Granger chaired the House Committee on Appropriations during the 118th Congress until stepping down early in 2024, amid reports of health challenges including dementia that led to her prolonged absence from Washington and eventual retirement.[2][3] Her tenure emphasized fiscal oversight and defense priorities, reflecting her background in local government and business before entering national politics.[4]Early Life and Education
Upbringing and Family Influences
Kay Granger was born Norvell Kay Mullendore on January 18, 1943, in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas.[1] 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 highway patrolman before transitioning to sales.[5][6] She had an older sister, Mary Lynn Mullendore O'Day (1938–2020).[7] The family soon relocated to Fort Worth, settling in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of East Fort Worth, where Granger was raised.[7][8] 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.[1] Family influences centered on education and perseverance, particularly from her mother's career as an educator, which inspired Granger's own entry into teaching English at Richland High School after college.[5] Her mother's dedication to teaching, evident in community recognition like the naming of the elementary school, underscored a household value of public service through knowledge and community involvement, though Granger later diverged into politics and business.[5] Her father's shift from law enforcement to sales may have modeled adaptability in professional roles.[6]Formal Education and Early Professional Steps
Kay Granger graduated from Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1961.[1] She then attended Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1965, with coursework focused on English, home economics, and a teaching certificate.[9] [5] Following her education, Granger began her professional career as a high school teacher, instructing in English and journalism.[10] [11] She later operated an insurance agency, marking her entry into business ownership before transitioning to public service roles.[11] These early steps provided her with experience in education and entrepreneurship, predating her involvement in local zoning and city council activities.[11]Local Government Career
Fort Worth City Council Tenure
Kay Granger was elected to the Fort Worth City Council in May 1989, succeeding Russell Lancaster following his retirement and defeating challenger Morris Matson. She served as a council member from 1989 to 1991.[1][11] Her council tenure built directly on her prior experience chairing the Fort Worth Zoning Commission from 1981 to 1989, where she addressed land use and development matters.[12] 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.[13] Granger's service ended in 1991 upon her election as mayor.[14]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.[15] Upon taking office, the city faced a projected $27 million budget shortfall amid the closure of Carswell Air Force Base, which threatened local economic stability.[16] Granger prioritized fiscal discipline, implementing measures to balance the budget without raising taxes, drawing on her business background to streamline city operations.[12] A cornerstone of her administration was aggressive crime reduction, achieved through innovative policing reforms including community-oriented strategies and increased officer deployment.[17] These efforts resulted in a 49% drop in overall crime rates during her tenure, transforming Fort Worth from a city grappling with urban decay to one recognized for public safety improvements.[17] Granger's focus on data-driven enforcement targeted high-crime areas, contributing to broader neighborhood stabilization.[12] 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 1990s recovery from recession.[13] Her initiatives emphasized public-private partnerships to redevelop underutilized properties, fostering job creation and infrastructure upgrades without excessive municipal debt.[12] Under her leadership, the city experienced accelerated economic expansion, with Granger credited for laying groundwork that supported long-term diversification beyond military-dependent sectors.[12]U.S. Congressional Service
Elections and Path to Congress
Kay Granger transitioned from local politics to federal office by running for Texas's 12th congressional district seat, which became open after three-term Democratic incumbent Pete Geren announced his retirement on December 15, 1995, amid speculation about party-switching pressures following the Republican congressional gains in 1994.[18][19] 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 the district to Republican control for the first time since Reconstruction.[20] This victory made her the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.[1] She took office in January 1997 for the 105th Congress. 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 general election from 1998 through 2022 with margins exceeding 30 percentage points, often against underfunded Democrats or third-party candidates; for instance, in 2002, she garnered 121,208 votes (91.87%) against Libertarian Edward A. Hanson.[21] Primary challenges were rare until 2020, when she defeated conservative activist Chris Putnam 58% to 42%, amid debates over her support for bipartisan COVID-19 relief measures.[22]| Election Year | General Election Opponent | Granger's Vote Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | John M. Dyson (D) | 54.07% |
| 2002 | Edward A. Hanson (L) | 91.87% |
| 2022 | Trey Hunt (D) | 64.77% |