Alice Stewart, a CNN political commentator and Republican political adviser, passed away at the age of 58, CNN announced on Saturday.
Law enforcement officials confirmed Stewart’s passing to CNN and reported that she was found outside in a neighborhood in northern Virginia.
“Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN,” stated Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN, in an email to the news network’s employees. “A political veteran and Emmy Award-winning journalist, she brought an incomparable spark to CNN’s coverage. She was known across our bureaus not only for her political acumen but also for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss.”
In an interview with the Harvard International Review, Stewart shared that she attended the University of Georgia, earning a degree in broadcast news and political science. After graduation, she worked as a reporter and producer in Savannah before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas, and later took on the role of communications director for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R).
Stewart also served as communications director for Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) during her 2012 presidential run and worked on former Sen. Rick Santorum’s (R-PA) 2012 presidential campaign.
In 2016, when Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) launched his presidential campaign, Stewart was part of his campaign team.
“Heartbreaking. Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend,” Cruz expressed in a post on X. “And she loved America fiercely. She lived every day to the fullest, and she will be deeply missed. May God’s comfort and peace be upon her loved ones. RIP.”
Law enforcement officials informed CNN that they do not suspect foul play in Stewart’s death, which they believe resulted from a medical emergency.
