After a three-year struggle with brain cancer, Mia Love, the child of Haitian immigrants who later became a City Council member, mayor, and first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, has died at 49.
Love’s family announced her death on Love’s X account.
She underwent recent brain cancer treatment and participated in a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumour centre, receiving immunotherapy.
Early this month, her daughter reported that the former lawmaker stopped responding to treatment.
Love died at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, according to a statement posted by the 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,” her family said. “We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers, and condolences.”
Referring to Love as a “true friend,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said her lifetime of devotion inspired all those who knew her.
After gaining a position on the city council in Saratoga Springs, a developing town roughly 30 miles (48 kilometres) south of Salt Lake City, Love entered politics in 2003. She later became the city’s mayor.
In a district spanning several Salt Lake City suburbs, Love almost lost a run for the House against the Democratic incumbent, former Representative Jim Matheson, in 2012. Two years later, she ran again and beat first-time candidate Doug Owens by almost 7,500 votes.
In an op-ed published earlier this month in the Deseret News, Love recounted the version of America she grew up adoring and offered her lasting yearning for the nation to become less contentious. She thanked her medical team and everyone who had prayed for her. Fashion trends
Love said her parents moved to the U.S. with $10 in their pocket and a belief that hard work would lead to prosperity.
She said she was raised to believe passionately in the American dream and “to love this country, warts and all.” At its core, she remarked that America is respectful, resilient, giving, and grounded in rugged determination.
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