First black republican congressman dies

Mia Love, the first American Republican congressman, has died at 49 in Utah, his family announced.

He died peacefully on Sunday, surrounded by a family at his home in Saratoga Springs, according to a statement.

Love, a daughter of Haitian immigrants, had represented the state of Utah in the House of Representatives.

His daughter Abigale said earlier this month that love had no longer responded to treatment for brain cancer.

“In the midst of a celebration of his life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia silently slid the mortality bands and, as his words and vision always did, he rose to the sky,” said the family statement, which was published in X.

Paying tributes to love, the governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, wrote: “A true pioneer and visionary leader, Mia inspired countless Utahs through his courage, grace and unwavering belief in the American dream.

“His legacy leaves a lasting and positive impact on our state. We will miss it deeply.”

Mia Love’s political career began formally in 2003 when he won a seat at the City of Saratoga Springs, and then became the 34 -year -old mayor.

In 2014, it was chosen for the United States Representatives Chamber. Daughter of Haitian immigrants, made history as the first black republican woman to assume the role, and served two terms.

His re -election offer four years later ended up in a thin defeat of shaving his Democratic rival Ben Mcadams.

Love was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of rapid and aggressive brain cancer, in 2022 and received 10-15 months to live, which surpassed.

His death arrives almost two weeks after Love wrote a Opinion piece for Deseret NewsThat she said was “not say goodbye, but to say thanks and express my desire for life for you and the United States that I know.”