Mia Love, the daughter of Haitian immigrants who broke barriers as the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, has died at age 49 following a battle with brain cancer.
Love passed away Sunday at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, her family confirmed in a statement shared on her official X account. “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,” her family wrote. “We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox paid tribute to Love, calling her a “true friend” whose legacy of service inspired all who knew her.
Love was undergoing immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University‘s brain tumor center. Earlier this month, her daughter revealed the treatments were no longer effective.
Republican U.S. Rep. Mia Love greets supporters during an election night party, in Lehi, Utah, Nov. 6, 2018. Republican U.S. Rep. Mia Love greets supporters during an election night party, in Lehi, Utah, Nov. 6, 2018. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File
A True Believer in the American Dream
A self-described believer in the American dream, Love often spoke of her parents’ arrival in the U.S. with just $10 in their pocket—and an unwavering belief that hard work could lead to success. She carried those ideals into public service, launching her political career on the Saratoga Springs City Council in 2003 before becoming mayor.
Love first made a national splash in 2012, narrowly losing her bid for Congress in a Democratic-leaning district. Two years later, she returned and won, defeating Democrat Doug Owens to represent Utah’s 4th Congressional District. Her victory marked a historic first—and a defiance of the political odds.
Though she seldom emphasized her race on the campaign trail, Love acknowledged the milestone after her win, noting she had defied skeptics who said a Black, Republican, Mormon woman couldn’t win in predominantly white Utah.
Distanced Herself From Trump
For a time, Love was considered a rising star within the GOP. But she often charted an independent course, distancing herself from then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 election following the release of a 2005 recording in which Trump made lewd comments about groping women. She skipped that year’s Republican National Convention and declared she would not vote for Trump, instead endorsing Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
While her stance garnered respect from moderates, it cost her political capital with Trump loyalists. She narrowly lost her 2018 reelection bid to Democrat Ben McAdams—despite Republicans outnumbering Democrats nearly 3 to 1 in her district. Trump criticized her the next day. “Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,” he said. “Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.”
Media and Academic Career
After leaving office, Love transitioned into media and academia, becoming a CNN political commentator and a fellow at the University of Sydney. Despite past tensions, she later said she was “OK with the outcome” of Trump’s election. “Yes, Trump says a lot of inconsiderate things … However, his policies have a high probability of benefiting all Americans,” she wrote in a social media post.
‘I Hope That My Life Will Have Mattered’
Earlier this month, Love published a reflective op-ed in the Deseret News, expressing hope for a less divisive America and gratitude for those who supported her during her illness. “Some have forgotten the math of America—whenever you divide, you diminish,” she wrote.
“In the end,” she added, “I hope that my life will have mattered and made a difference for the nation I love and the family and friends I adore.”
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
