Mia Love, the former U.S. representative from Utah and the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, passed away on Sunday at the age of 49.
Her family shared the news of her passing on her official X account.
Love had recently been undergoing treatment for brain cancer and participated in a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center, receiving immunotherapy. Earlier this month, her daughter revealed that she was no longer responding to treatment.
According to a family statement, she passed away peacefully at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah.
“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.”
A Legacy of Public Service
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described Love as a “true friend” and praised her lasting impact.
“Her legacy of service inspired all who knew her,” Cox said in a statement. “We pray for her family and mourn with them.”
Love’s political career began in 2003 when she won a seat on the Saratoga Springs city council, a growing community about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. She later became the city’s mayor.
In 2012, she ran for Congress but narrowly lost to Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson in a district covering several Salt Lake City suburbs. Two years later, she won her rematch against first-time candidate Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes.
While Love didn’t highlight her race in her campaigns, she acknowledged the historical significance of her 2014 victory. She noted that her election defied skeptics who doubted that a Black, Republican, Mormon woman could win in predominantly White Utah.
Tensions with Trump and Political Challenges
Initially seen as a rising star in the GOP, Love distanced herself from Donald Trump, who had a lukewarm reception among Utah voters. During the 2016 election, after the release of a 2005 recording in which Trump made lewd comments about women, she refused to endorse him, skipped the Republican National Convention, and instead backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
As she sought a third term in 2018, Love continued to separate herself from Trump on issues like trade and immigration while supporting GOP tax cuts. Despite Republicans significantly outnumbering Democrats in her district, she lost to Democrat Ben McAdams by fewer than 700 votes.
The day after her defeat, Trump publicly criticized her and other Republicans who hadn’t fully embraced him.
“Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,” he said. “Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.”
After leaving Congress, Love became a political commentator for CNN and worked as a fellow at the University of Sydney.
Following Trump’s election in 2016, Love expressed a pragmatic view on his presidency.
“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.
