SALT LAKE CITY – Former U.S. Representative Mia Love of Utah, who made history as the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, passed away on Sunday at the age of 49. Love's family shared the heartbreaking news through her account on X. Recently, she had been undergoing treatment for brain cancer, including immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center. Her daughter had revealed earlier this month that Love was no longer responding to treatment. She died peacefully at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, as confirmed by a statement from her family.
The family expressed their gratitude for the impact Love had on their lives, stating, “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.” They also extended their appreciation for the numerous good wishes, prayers, and condolences they received during this challenging time.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox paid tribute to Love, describing her as a “true friend” and acknowledging her inspiring legacy of service. “Her legacy of service inspired all who knew her,” Cox stated, adding, “We pray for her family and mourn with them.” Love's political journey began in 2003 when she won a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, a burgeoning community approximately 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. She later ascended to the role of mayor.
In 2012, Mia Love made her mark on the national stage by narrowly losing a House race against Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson, representing a district that encompasses several suburbs of Salt Lake City. However, her tenacity shone through when she ran again in 2014, defeating first-time candidate Doug Owens by approximately 7,500 votes. While she did not highlight her race during her campaigns, Love acknowledged the significance of her election after her victory, stating that it defied critics who claimed a Black, Republican, Mormon woman could not win in predominantly white Utah.
After her election, Mia Love was viewed as a rising star within the GOP. Notably, she distanced herself from Donald Trump, who was not well-received by many Utah voters during his presidential campaign in 2016. Despite facing reelection that year, Love opted to skip the Republican National Convention and publicly declared that she would not support Trump, instead endorsing Texas Senator Ted Cruz. However, Cruz withdrew from the race months later.
In her pursuit of a third term in 2018, Love attempted to carve out a distinct identity from Trump on issues such as trade and immigration, all while maintaining support for her party’s tax cut initiatives. Nevertheless, despite the Republican voter base outnumbering Democrats nearly three-to-one in her district, Love lost her reelection bid by fewer than 700 votes to former Salt Lake City Mayor Ben McAdams, a Democrat. The day after her defeat, Trump criticized Love in a news conference, stating, “Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost. Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.”
Following her electoral loss, Mia Love transitioned into a role as a political commentator on CNN and served as a fellow at the University of Sydney. After Trump's election, she reflected on the political landscape, expressing, “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.”
Mia Love's journey in politics was marked by resilience, breaking barriers, and a commitment to public service. Her contributions to Utah and the broader political discourse will be remembered as a testament to her indomitable spirit and dedication.
