Arlington GOP activist dies after COVID-19 hospitalization

An Arlington Republican known for her work to ban red light cameras died on Monday after being hospitalized for COVID-19 and pneumonia. Kelly Canon was active in Republican politics, including as a vice president of the Arlington Republican Club, and had been vocal in her opposition to vaccine mandates. The club posted about Canon’s death on Facebook, remembering her as a “loyal and beloved friend and Patriot.” “Kelly will be forever in our hearts as a loyal and beloved friend and Patriot,” the post reads. “Gone way too soon. We will keep her family in our prayers.” Canon helped to get red light cameras turned off in Arlington by leading a petition drive to get the issue added to the ballot in 2015. Arlington voters voted to ban the cameras, and Texas lawmakers later banned them statewide.

“She was a very passionate person, and she was very much a go-getter, not just a talker,” said Faith Bussey, who met Canon through the Arlington Tea Party and worked with her to ban red light cameras in Arlington. Canon is also known for sharing private Facebook messages between her and former U.S. Rep. Joe Barton after he sent a nude photo of himself to a different woman. In some of the messages, Barton asked questions that were sexual in nature. He would soon announce his retirement from the North Texas congressional seat. “She was a headstrong activist and a grassroots leader,” said Rick Barnes, president of the Tarrant County Republican Party. “She was just one of those types that when she wanted to get something done, she was going to stand strong on it until it came about.” Mark Hanson, president of the Arlington Republican Club, said the group was “totally stunned” by the news of Canon’s passing. Canon served as the group’s vice president for legislative alerts. Hanson said it’s his understanding Canon was hospitalized but getting better as of late last week, so her death came as a shock.