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.
Born to Haitian immigrant parents, Love made history with her 2014 congressional victory, representing Utah’s 4th District. Before entering national politics, she served on the Saratoga Springs City Council and later became the city’s first Black mayor.
Love’s political rise was marked by her independent stance within the Republican Party. While she championed conservative values, she distanced herself from Donald Trump, particularly during the 2016 election, when she publicly refused to support him after the release of the Access Hollywood tape.
Despite Utah’s strong Republican majority, Love lost her 2018 re-election bid to Democrat Ben McAdams by fewer than 700 votes, ending her tenure in Congress.
Earlier this year, Love’s daughter revealed that she was no longer responding to treatment for brain cancer, which she had been fighting for several years. She had participated in a clinical trial at Duke University’s Brain Tumor Center, but her condition worsened in recent weeks.
Her family announced her passing on her X account, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support from friends, colleagues, and constituents.
Love’s historic election and trailblazing role in Congress left a lasting impact on American politics. As a Black Republican woman in a predominantly white state, she broke barriers and defied political norms, earning recognition as a rising star in the GOP.
Her legacy as a pioneering conservative leader and a symbol of diversity within the Republican Party will be remembered for years to come.
