Former Rep. Mia Love dies at 49

Former Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah), the first black Republican Congresswoman, died at age 49 on Sunday following a battle with brain cancer. 

Love, who represented the 4th Congressional district of Utah from 2015-2019, passed away on Sunday in Saratoga Springs, Utah, according to her X account where her family announced it. 

Love served as a member of Saratoga Springs City Council from 2003-2009, according to the Ballotpedia website. She then became the mayor of the city from 2010-2014 before running for Congress.

During her four-year stint in the House of Representatives, she was a member of the Committee of Financial Services from 2017-18. She also served on the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives under the guidance of the Energy and Commerce Committee. 

Love was one of five Republicans to vote against the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2017-18, which was passed 340 – 72 in the House but never passed the Senate. Among other things, the measure sponsored by former Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), would instruct the Department of Energy program to consolidate and temporarily store commercial spent nuclear fuel during the development and construction of a permanent nuclear waste repository.

Utah governor Spencer Cox shared his condolences via his personal X  account on Sunday night.

“We are heartbroken at this news,” Cox said on his X account. “From the time we were mayors together I could always count on Mia as a true friend. Her legacy of service inspired all who knew her. We pray for her family and mourn with them”