House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger announced Wednesday she will not seek reelection next year, after serving in the House for nearly three decades.
Ms. Granger, 80, Texas Republican, was first elected to Congress in 1996. She was the first female mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican congresswoman from her state 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,” she 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.”
Her district in the Fort Worth area is considered a Republican stronghold.
Ms. Granger played a key role during Republicans’ efforts to elect a new speaker last month, as she was one of the holdouts who opposed Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid to be speaker, which led to Mr. Jordan ultimately withdrawing from the race.
During one speaker ballot round, Ms. Granger received a single vote for the position from Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa Republican, which Ms. Granger reportedly took humor in.
She finally supported Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana for the speakership, calling him a “tried-and-true conservative” with a “proven record of unifying members and fighting for Republican priorities.”
Ms. Granger said she plans to serve out the remainder of her term and work with Mr. Johnson and her congressional colleagues “to advance our conservative agenda and finish the job I was elected to do.”
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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