Mia Love, the former U.S. Representative from Utah who made history as the first Black Republican woman in Congress, has passed away at the age of 49. Her family announced her passing on Sunday, March 23, following her battle with brain cancer. Love died peacefully at home in Saratoga Springs, Utah.
A Journey Rooted in the American Dream
Born Ludmya Bourdeau to Haitian immigrants, Love’s life was shaped by a deep belief in hard work and opportunity. She often recounted how her parents arrived in the U.S. with just ZAR 190 ($10
R185.05 at the time) and a determination to build a better future. “I was raised to love this country, warts and all,” she wrote in a recent Deseret News op-ed. This belief in the American dream propelled her into public service.
Breaking Barriers in Politics
Love began her political career in 2003 when she was elected to the Saratoga Springs City Council. She later became the city’s mayor, before making history in 2014 by winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a deeply conservative district. Her victory was groundbreaking, defying expectations in a predominantly white and Republican state.
“I was told a Black, Republican, Mormon woman couldn’t win a congressional seat in Utah,” she once said. But Love proved otherwise, championing conservative principles while also advocating for inclusivity and bipartisanship.
A Complex Relationship with the GOP
Despite being heralded as a rising star in the Republican Party, Love maintained an independent streak. She distanced herself from then-candidate Donald Trump in 2016, choosing not to attend the Republican National Convention and publicly stating she would not vote for him.
Her political career took a hit in 2018 when she lost her re-election bid by fewer than 700 votes. Trump famously dismissed her defeat, stating, “Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost. Too bad.”
A Voice for Unity and Principles
Even after leaving office, Love remained engaged in political discourse, urging Americans to seek unity over division. “Some have forgotten the math of America — whenever you divide, you diminish,” she wrote in what would become her final column.
In a poignant reflection on her life and legacy, she wrote, “I hope that my life will have mattered and made a difference for the nation I love… I hope you will see the America I know… and feel my presence in the flame of the enduring principles of liberty.”
Rest in Power, Mia Love
Love’s passing marks the end of a trailblazing journey, but her impact on American politics and the communities she served will endure.
