SALT LAKE CITY — The nation is mourning the loss of former U.S. Representative Mia Love of Utah, who passed away at the age of 49. Known for her remarkable achievements as the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, Love’s death was announced by her family through her social media account.
Love had been battling brain cancer and was undergoing immunotherapy treatment as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center. Earlier this month, her daughter had disclosed that Love was no longer responding to the treatment. She passed away at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, with her family expressing profound gratitude for the influence she had on their lives and the outpouring of support they had received.
Utah’s Governor, Spencer Cox, paid tribute to Love by calling her a “true friend” and noted that her dedication to public service was an inspiration to many. Love’s political journey began in 2003 with her election as a city council member in Saratoga Springs, a rapidly growing city located about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City, eventually becoming its mayor.
She first made headlines in the political arena during her 2012 run for Congress, narrowly losing to Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson. However, Love returned in 2014 to win against Doug Owens by approximately 7,500 votes. While her campaigns did not heavily focus on her race, Love acknowledged the symbolism of her victory and how it defied conventional expectations during her 2014 win.
Recognized briefly as a rising star in the GOP, Love maintained a cautious distance from then-candidate Donald Trump, who was not popular among many Utah voters during the 2016 presidential race. In a recent op-ed, Love expressed her vision for a less divisive America, reflecting on her upbringing as the daughter of Haitian immigrants who believed in the American dream.
She shared her parents’ belief in success through hard work and her enduring appreciation for America, despite its imperfections. Her political career exposed her to both the negative and positive aspects of the country, but she cherished the moments when she saw Americans’ courage and hope. Love advocated for unity, urging people to focus on commonalities rather than differences.
During the contentious 2016 election, Love chose not to attend the Republican National Convention following the release of a controversial recording of Trump. She publicly stated she wouldn’t support Trump, endorsing Texas Senator Ted Cruz instead, though he later withdrew from the race.
In her 2018 campaign for a third term, Love distanced herself from Trump on certain issues such as trade and immigration while supporting Republican tax policies. Despite her efforts, she narrowly lost to Democrat Ben McAdams by fewer than 700 votes. Trump’s subsequent remarks held her partially responsible for channeling his criticism towards other Republicans who didn’t fully support him.
After leaving Congress, Love worked as a political commentator on CNN and served as a fellow at the University of Sydney. While reflecting on Trump’s election, she acknowledged his sometimes provocative rhetoric but noted that some of his policies had the potential to benefit all Americans.