Former U.S. Rep. Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, has died at the age of 49 after battling brain cancer, her family announced Sunday.
Love, a daughter of Haitian immigrants, served Utah’s 4th Congressional District from 2015 to 2019, making history as a trailblazing conservative voice in Washington.
Her family shared the news on Love’s X account, stating that she passed away peacefully at her home in Saratoga Springs.
“With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully,” the statement read.
“We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers, and condolences.”
Love had been undergoing treatment at Duke University’s brain tumor center but recently stopped responding to immunotherapy, her daughter revealed earlier this month.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox paid tribute to Love, calling her a “true friend” and praising her “legacy of service” that inspired many.
During her time in Congress, Love was known for her advocacy on issues such as limited government, fiscal responsibility, and immigration reform. Though she lost her re-election bid in 2018, she remained active in public discourse as a political commentator and speaker.
ABC News reports that Love began her political career in 2003 when she won a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, a rapidly growing community about 30 miles (48 kilometres) south of Salt Lake City. She later became the city’s mayor.
In 2012, she ran for a seat in the U.S. House but narrowly lost to Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson in a district covering several Salt Lake City suburbs.
Two years later, she ran again and defeated first-time candidate Doug Owens by approximately 7,500 votes.
Though Love did not focus on her race during her campaigns, she acknowledged the historic nature of her 2014 victory.
She noted that her win challenged sceptics who doubted that a Black, Republican, Mormon woman could secure a congressional seat in predominantly white Utah.
At one point, Love was seen as a rising star within the GOP. She distanced herself from Donald Trump, who was unpopular with many Utah voters during his 2016 presidential run.
That year, when a 2005 recording surfaced of Trump making lewd comments about women, Love skipped the Republican National Convention and stated she would not vote for him.
Instead, she endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who later dropped out of the race.
During her 2018 reelection campaign, Love sought to distance herself from Trump on trade and immigration while supporting Republican tax policies.
Despite Republicans outnumbering Democrats nearly three to one in her district, she lost by fewer than 700 votes to Democrat Ben McAdams, the former mayor of Salt Lake City.
The morning after her defeat, Trump publicly criticised her and other Republicans who had not fully embraced him.
“Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,” he remarked. “Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.”
Following her loss, Love transitioned to political commentary, serving as an analyst for CNN and as a fellow at the University of Sydney.
After Trump’s election, Love expressed acceptance of the outcome.
“Yes, Trump says a lot of inconsiderate things that are unfortunate and impossible to defend.
“However, his policies have a high probability of benefiting all Americans,” she wrote in a social media post.
