Mia Love, First Black Republican Congresswoman, Passes Away at 49
Washington: Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the US Congress, has died at the age of 49 after a three-year battle with brain cancer, her family announced on social media.
Love passed away on Sunday, surrounded by family. “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,” her family wrote.
Life and Political Career:
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Born Ludmya Bourdeau on December 6, 1975, in New York City to Haitian immigrant parents.
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Earned a degree in fine arts from the University of Hartford.
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Converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Utah.
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Entered politics in Saratoga Springs, Utah, serving on the city council (2003) and later as mayor (2009).
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Elected to the US Congress in 2014, becoming:
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The first Black Republican Congresswoman.
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Utah’s first Black lawmaker in Congress.
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Served in Congress from 2015 to 2019, working on the House Financial Services Committee.
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After losing re-election in 2018, she became a CNN political commentator and served as a 2020 Electoral College elector for Utah.
Battle with Cancer and Tributes:
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Diagnosed with glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, in 2022.
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Utah Governor Spencer Cox expressed his sorrow, calling Love a “true friend” in a post on X.
Mia Love’s political career broke barriers and left a lasting impact on US politics, particularly in Utah. Her journey from a first-generation American to a trailblazing Congresswoman serves as an inspiration. Despite her battle with cancer, she remained active in public discourse, contributing to political analysis. Her legacy as a pioneer in Republican politics will be remembered.
