U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, said Wednesday she will not seek reelection in 2024 after nearly three decades in Congress.

Granger, 80, is the longest-serving woman in the House Republican Caucus.

After a stint as the first female mayor of Ft. Worth, she was elected to Congress in 1996, and she became the Lone Star state’s first GOP congresswoman.

“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.

Granger represents an R+12 district home to the manufacturer of the F-35 fighter jet. From her perch on the appropriations committee, she has been a key force in securing more military funding.

Granger attracted attention during last month’s process to replace Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House speaker. On the House floor, Granger joined 19 other Republicans in voting against Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio., in his bid for the speakership. Instead, Granger voted for Rep. Steve Scalise.

In backing Scalise, Granger joined several other Appropriations Committee members, including some Republicans who have historically sparred with Jordan. After this vote, Granger was reportedly fielding calls to step down from the committee. At the time, she was already approaching the GOP’s term limits for committee chairs.

Granger announced her retirement mere hours before a similar announcement from Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.

As of Wednesday afternoon, four Democrats and four Republicans have decided against running for re-election to the House. Three of those eight have announced their retirements this week.

In her announcement, Granger said she would work with new House Speaker Mike Johnson “to advance our conservative agenda” for the remainder of her term.

 

Tuesday flashback! Top Dem announces retirement, opening up messy election

 

The Horn editorial team and the Associated Press contribtued to this article.