CNN
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Former US Congressman Mia Love, the first black woman to be elected to Congress as a Republican, died after a fight against an aggressive form of brain cancer, her family announced on X Sunday night.
Love, 49, represented Utah’s Fourth Congressional District from 2015 to 2019.
“I want you to know that she passed away peacefully today in a heart that is grateful for being overflowing with MIA’s deep impact on our lives.” “She was in a home surrounded by her family. In the midst of an avalanche of celebrations and happy memories of her life, Mia quietly slid the band of death.
In a post about her death, Utah Governor Spencer Cox called love “a true pioneer and visionary leader.”
“Abby and I are heartbroken by the death of our dear friend Mia Love. A true pioneer and visionary leader, Mia has influenced countless Yutáns through her courage, grace and unwavering belief in American dreams. Her legacy leaves a lasting and positive impact on our nation.
In May, Love appeared on CNN’s “The Lead With Jake Tapper” and described his 2022 diagnosis with glioblastoma brain tumors, or GBM. People diagnosed with GBM usually live for a year and a half to two years, with only a 10% chance of survival in five years, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Love told Tapper that she began receiving immunotherapy every three weeks starting August 2023 as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s Preston Robert Tish Brain Tactic Center. Love discussed her hopeful outlook despite her prognosis of 10-15 months for her to live – she surpassed that – and how her Mormon faith helped her endurance.
“I was looking for a cure for my faith and science,” she said. “The funny thing is that my patriarchal blessings say that as long as you decide to stay in public service, you have a long, prosperous, rich and rewarding life.”
After leaving Congress, Love later joined CNN as a political commentator, and was a spinning guest on ABC’s “The View.”