Texas GOP Rep. Kay Granger not seeking reelection

Texas Republican Rep. Kay Granger, the House Appropriations Committee Chair, said Wednesday that she will not seek reelection in 2024 after serving more than two decades in Congress. 

Granger, who has represented Texas' 12th District since 1997, accomplished many firsts in her public service career, which she highlighted in her announcement. 

"Serving my community has been the greatest honor, and I have always fought to improve the lives of my constituents," she said, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "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 overwhelmingly won reelection in 2022 by 64.3% to Democratic nominee Trey Hunt's 35.7%, and former President Donald Trump beat President Joe Biden in the district by 58% to 40%, so the area is likely to remain under Republican control.

Granger, who is 80, plans to serve the remainder of her term and said, "It’s time for the next generation to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people."

Her comments echo those of Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, who both declined to run for reelection and said it is time for a new generation to take over. 

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