Republican Representative Mia Love Dies at 49
Saratoga Springs, Utah, March 23, 2025 – Former U.S. Representative Mia Love, a trailblazer who made history as the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, passed away peacefully on Sunday at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah. She was 49. Love’s death comes after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, which her family announced earlier this month had stopped responding to treatment. Surrounded by loved ones, her passing marks the end of a remarkable journey defined by resilience, faith, and a commitment to public service.
A Life of Historic Firsts
Born Ludmya Bourdeau on December 6, 1975, in Brooklyn, New York, to Haitian immigrant parents, Love’s life embodied the American Dream. Her family moved to Connecticut when she was young, and she later attended the University of Hartford, where she earned a degree in fine arts. A convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Love moved to Utah, where she began her political career as a city council member and later mayor of Saratoga Springs. In 2014, she achieved a historic milestone by winning Utah’s 4th Congressional District seat, becoming the first Black Republican woman in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressional Tenure and Independent Voice
During her two terms in Congress, from 2015 to 2019, Love served on the House Financial Services Committee and was the only Republican member of the Congressional Black Caucus. She gained national attention for her pragmatic approach to governance and her willingness to challenge her party when necessary. Notably, she distanced herself from then-candidate Donald Trump in 2016, refusing to endorse him after the release of the Access Hollywood tape. Following her narrow defeat in 2018 to Democrat Ben McAdams by fewer than 700 votes, Trump publicly mocked her, saying, “Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost.” Love responded with grace, later reflecting on the incident as emblematic of broader issues within the Republican Party’s engagement with minority communities.
Love’s political career was marked by her advocacy for fiscal responsibility, limited government, and community-driven solutions. Yet, she also faced criticism from some Black Republicans for her critiques of the party’s outreach to Black voters, a stance that underscored her independence. “She was not a robot for the Republican Party,” one observer noted on X, highlighting her willingness to speak out against party orthodoxy.
Battling Cancer and a Shift in Focus
After leaving Congress, Love joined CNN as a political commentator and made occasional appearances as a guest co-host on The View. Her cancer diagnosis in 2022 shifted her focus to family and faith. She participated in a clinical trial at Duke University’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, undergoing immunotherapy in a bid to combat the disease. In a May 2024 interview on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, Love spoke candidly about her journey, saying, “I was looking for a cure in my faith and in science.”
As her condition worsened, Love’s daughter, Abigale, shared a poignant update on March 1, announcing that the family had shifted focus from treatment to cherishing their remaining time together. Abigale invited the public to contribute photos and memories for an archive, a testament to Love’s widespread impact.
A Legacy Remembered
Love’s family shared the news of her passing in a heartfelt statement posted on her X account Sunday evening: “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. She was in her home surrounded by family. In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, we mourn her loss but rejoice in her legacy.”
Tributes poured in Sunday night from across the political spectrum. Utah Governor Spencer Cox wrote on X, “Mia Love has served Utah with integrity, and her strength and grace continue to inspire us. Our hearts are with Mia and her family.” Former colleague and fellow Republican Representative Nancy Mace expressed sorrow, saying, “I’m so sorry. Mia was a fighter and a pioneer.” The Congressional Black Caucus also honored her legacy, noting her historic role in breaking barriers.
Love’s death leaves behind her husband, Jason, and their three children, along with a legacy of determination and service. As the nation mourns, her story remains a powerful reminder of the grit and grace that defined her life—from a Haitian immigrant’s daughter to a history-making lawmaker who never shied away from speaking her truth.
