Kay Granger, the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, has died at the age of 83, her son J.D. She began her political career on the Zoning Commission of Fort Worth from 1981 to 1989, before moving to the Fort Worth City Council from 1989 to 1991. Granger then served as mayor of Fort Worth from 1991 to 1995, becoming the first woman ever elected to that office in the city’s history. Granger became a vocal champion of defense spending throughout her tenure, including championing the production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program based in Fort Worth. Rep. Lisa McClain, who chairs the House Republican Caucus, called Granger “a pioneer, a dedicated public servant, and a trailblazing leader who opened doors for generations of Republican women to follow.”