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Former Utah Rep. Mia Love, who made history as the first Black Republican woman to be elected to Congress, has died, per NBC News. She was 49.
On Sunday (March 23), Love's family took to social media to announce that the former congresswoman had died at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah.
“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,” Love's family said in a statement. “We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers, and condolences.”
Love was undergoing treatment for brain cancer and had received immunotherapy for her tumor as part of a clinical trial at Duke University, per NBC News. Earlier this month, Love's daughter said her mom was no longer responding to treatment.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called Love a "true friend" in the wake of her death.
“Her legacy of service inspired all who knew her,” Cox said in a statement. “We pray for her family and mourn with them.”
Love started her political career in 2003, winning a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs. She would go on to become the city's mayor before narrowly losing her 2012 bid for a House seat against Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson.
In 2014, Love won her House bid, becoming the first Republican Black woman to earn a congressional seat.
She served in the House for two terms before losing her third in 2018 to Democrat Ben McAdams, the former mayor of Salt Lake City, as she attempted to separate herself from President Donald Trump.
After losing her House seat, Trump called out Love at a news conference.
“Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost,” Trump said. “Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia.”
Following her election loss, Love served as a CNN commentator and a fellow at the University of Sydney.
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