Mia Love, trailblazing political figure and former Rep., dies at 49. In 2020, she became the first Black Republican woman to be elected to Congress. Love’s parents, Haitian immigrants, moved to the U.S. with $10 in their pockets. While the play tells much of her life story, it reveals her tireless devotion to what she believed was the “American dream.” She died in her residence in Saratoga Springs, Utah. This was just after she had returned home to New Jersey after having treatment for inoperable brain cancer, including entering a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center.
Love’s political journey started when she won election to the city council of Saratoga Springs in 2003. And she forged a successful career, becoming one of the most visible woman Republican leaders. She was a political analyst at CNN. In 2020, she was a fellow of the University of Sydney. This role truly established her as a powerful and influential political force on both the national and international stages.
In 2014, Love became the first African American woman to win a congressional seat from Utah. She proved wrong all the skeptics who didn’t believe a Black, Republican, Mormon woman could win in such an overwhelmingly-white state. Her upset win was immediately hailed as a breakthrough moment for the diversity and representation among Republican candidates. Throughout her time in the US House of Representatives, Love became known as one of the party’s rising stars. Like other Republican leaders in Utah, she guardedly distanced herself from Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign as many Utah voters were wary of his candidacy.
“In the end, I hope that my life will have mattered and made a difference for the nation I love and the family and friends I adore,” – Mia Love
Love did a lot of amazing work, but in 2018, she’s lost her congressional seat by the narrowest of margins. Ben McAdams, then-mayor of Salt Lake City, defeated her. In response to her loss, former President Donald Trump commented:
“Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,” – Donald Trump
Love’s family was incredibly touched by the far-reaching, positive influence she had on so many others. They gave us the gut-wrenching news of her death.
“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,” – Mia Love's family
As she matured, Love was reared in the tradition of a fiery love of country, one that embraced it “warts and all. She came as the daughter of immigrants. Today, she’s an emerging star among the GOP, telling an uplifting story of grit and gut, gumption and grace.