Former US Rep. Mia Love, the first Republican black woman elected to Congress, has died, her family announced Sunday night.
She was 49.
“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 today,” Love’s family wrote in a statement on X.
Love, who represented Utah’s 4th Congressional District from 2015 to 2019, died at her home in Saratoga Springs, about 30 miles outside Salt Lake City.
The former congresswoman had been battling brain cancer and recently underwent immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center before her death.
Love’s daughter said earlier this month that her mother’s cancer was no longer responding to treatment.
“In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward,” her family wrote.
“We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences. We are taking some time as a family and will provide information about funeral services and a public celebration of her life in the days to come.”
Love leaves behind a husband, Jason, and three children, Alessa, Abigale and Peyton.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called Love a “true friend” who was a “trailblazer and visionary leader.”
“Mia inspired countless Utahns through her courage, grace, and unwavering belief in the American dream,” Cox posted on X. “Her legacy leaves a lasting, positive impact on our state. We will miss her deeply.”
“Heavy heart with the passing of my friend and colleague, Mia Love. Her energy, enthusiasm and wit made her a stand-out member of Congress,” former Massachusetts Gov. and former Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) posted on X.
“Her faith and fortitude made her a model for me and for countless others. We will dearly miss you, Mia.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who served with Love in Congress, mourned her death.
“This is truly heartbreaking. Mia Love was an outstanding public servant and a dear friend,” Lee wrote on X. “Her passing leaves a deep, painful void.”
Love was born In Brooklyn, NY, and was the third child of Haitian immigrants.
Her family relocated to Connecticut when she was 5, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
After high school, Love received a half-tuition scholarship to the University of Hartford in Connecticut.
Following graduation, she worked as a flight attendant. During this time, Love — who was raised Catholic— converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Utah in 1998.
She began dating her future husband, Jason, soon after moving to Utah. The two were married months after they started dating.
Love launched her political career in 2003. She won a seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council and later became the mayor of the small, growing city in 2010.
Love first ran for Congress in 2012 but lost a bid for the House against the Democratic incumbent, former Rep. Jim Matheson, for Utah’s 4th Congressional District, which covers a string of Salt Lake City suburbs. Matheson announced that he would not run for re-election in 2013.
She ran again in 2014 and narrowly defeated first-time candidate and Democrat Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes.
She did not emphasize her race while on the campaign trail. However, the former lawmaker did acknowledge the significance of winning the election and said it defied those who had suggested that a black Republican Mormon woman couldn’t win a congressional seat in Utah.
Love ran for re-election in 2016 and again defeated Owens.
During the 2016 presidential election, Love skipped the Republican National Convention. She later endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in the GOP race. She released a statement saying she would not vote for Donald Trump following the release of a 2005 recording of him during an “Access Hollywood” interview in which Trump made lewd comments about women.
In 2018, while seeking a third term, she lost by fewer than 700 votes to former Salt Lake City Mayor and Democrat Ben McAdams.
Trump called Love out by name in a news conference the morning after she lost.
“Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,” Trump said. “Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.”
After her loss, Love was a political commentator on CNN and a fellow at the University of Sydney.
With Post wires