Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. Congress and a daughter of Haitian immigrants, passed away on Sunday at the age of 49. Her family shared the news of her death through a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account. Love had been battling brain cancer and was undergoing treatment, including participation in a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center. Earlier this month, her daughter had reported that Love was no longer responding to treatment.
Love’s political journey began in 2003 when she won a seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council, located south of Salt Lake City, Utah. She later became the mayor of the city. Her first bid for the U.S. House came in 2012, when she narrowly lost to Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson. However, she ran again in 2014, defeating Doug Owens by approximately 7,500 votes, marking a historic victory.
During her campaigns, Love did not emphasize her race but acknowledged the significance of her victory as a Black, Republican, Mormon woman in predominantly white Utah. Her election was seen as a significant achievement, defying those who said she could not succeed in such a district. Love was briefly regarded as a rising star within the GOP, but she distanced herself from Donald Trump during the 2016 election, notably declining to support him following the release of a recording in which Trump made lewd comments.
In 2018, Love faced reelection but lost to Democrat Ben McAdams by fewer than 700 votes despite a district with a strong Republican majority. After her loss, Trump publicly criticized Love, saying, “Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,” in a statement that reflected his disapproval of Republicans who didn’t fully embrace him.
After her political career, Love worked as a political commentator on CNN and as a fellow at the University of Sydney. Despite her differences with Trump, Love expressed support for his policies, acknowledging that while Trump made controversial statements, his policies had the potential to benefit all Americans.
Mia Love’s death has drawn tributes from across the political spectrum, with many remembering her as a trailblazer in U.S. politics, particularly as a pioneer for Black women in the Republican Party.
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