Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) has announced she will not seek reelection, Breitbart reported. The 80-year-old most recently made headlines for her role in preventing Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) from becoming Speaker of the House.
Republicans were in a tailspin after ousting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, forcing them to battle over who would next fill the role. Jordan was the favorite of many conservatives, but Granger helped organize the opposition against him.
She opposed Jordan right out of the gate in public votes and continued to do so until he was taken out completely in a secret ballot among the Republican conference. Granger instead supported Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), who ultimately took the speakership.
Her opposition to Jordan likely comes from her role as House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman. Jordan is fiscally conservative, which has often put him at odds with Granger and her committee.
While Jordan lost out to Johnson, he still maintains chairmanship on both the Weaponization and Judiciary Committees. He has carved out a reputation as being the most successful chairman of the committees in decades.
Granger's position has been more tenuous as speculation abounds about her mental acuity. This was perhaps why several sources prematurely tipped off the Forth Worth Reporter that she would be stepping away at the end of her term.
Granger initially denied that she was not running for reelection. However, the elderly lawmaker confirmed Wednesday that she would not run for office in again 2024, The Hill reported.
"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 in a statement.
Before her election to the House in 1997, Granger served as mayor of Fort Worth. She said it has "been the greatest honor" to represent and serve the people of Texas.
Granger made history both as the mayor and in the House. "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 continued in her statement.
She clarified that she will not be stepping away until her term finishes on Jan. 3, 2025. That date will mark exactly 28 years of service in the House as she first took office on Jan. 3, 1997 during the Clinton administration.
In the meantime, Granger will maintain her top spot on the appropriations committee as the House attempts to prevent a government shutdown. The deadline for passing appropriations bills before a shutdown is Nov. 17.
Granger is one of several lawmakers who are 80 years old or older and still serving in office. While she has the good sense not to seek reelection, many lawmakers hang on through illness and infirmary like Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who died at the age of 90 on Sept. 28 as the oldest person serving in Congress, the New York Post reported.
It is a positive move for Granger to let someone else take her place in 2024, especially since her district is not in jeopardy for Republicans. More of these lawmakers should follow suit, but they're too enamored by their own power to do what's right for their party and for the country.
