Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress and a former U.S. representative from Utah, passed away on Sunday at the age of 49. Her family announced her death on her X account, revealing that she had been battling brain cancer. Earlier this month, her daughter had shared that she was no longer responding to treatment. Love had been undergoing immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center.
Love, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, began her political career in 2003 when she won a seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council. She later became the city’s mayor before launching a bid for Congress. In 2012, she narrowly lost to Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson but returned in 2014 to defeat Doug Owens, securing her historic victory.
Though she didn’t emphasize her race during her campaigns, Love acknowledged the significance of her election, proving wrong those who doubted a Black, Republican, Mormon woman could win in predominantly white Utah. She was briefly considered a rising star in the GOP and distanced herself from Donald Trump, who was unpopular with many Utah voters. During the 2016 election, she publicly rejected Trump after the release of a controversial 2005 recording and instead endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
While seeking a third term in 2018, Love attempted to navigate differences with Trump on trade and immigration while supporting Republican tax cuts. Despite Republicans significantly outnumbering Democrats in her district, she lost by fewer than 700 votes to Democrat Ben McAdams.
Love’s passing marks the loss of a groundbreaking political figure whose career challenged expectations and reshaped representation in Congress.
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