CNN Political Commentator Alice Stewart Is Remembered By Peers After Death Aged 58 - 5 minutes read




Alice Stewart, a CNN political commentator and veteran political adviser who worked on a number of GOP presidential campaigns, has died at age 58, the news network reported Saturday.

Police in northern Virginia told CNN that Stewart's body was found outdoors in the Bellevue neighborhood early Saturday morning and that no foul play was suspected. Officials believe Stewart suffered a medical episode, according to CNN.

In an email to staff, the network's CEO Mark Thompson called Stewart “a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN.”

“A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNN’s coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness," he wrote. "Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss.”

No further information about the cause of death or survivors was available Saturday.

Stewart was born on March 11, 1966, in Atlanta, and began her career as a local reporter in Georgia before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas to be a news anchor. She went on to serve as the communications director in then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's office. She assumed similar roles during Huckabee's presidential run in 2008 and served as communications director for the 2012 presidential bids of Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and then former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Most recently, Stewart was the communications director for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's 2016 campaign.

“Heartbreaking," Cruz posted Saturday on X, formerly Twitter. "Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend. 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.”

Heartbreaking. ⁦Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend. 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. https://t.co/rXN6iugepM— Ted Cruz () May 18, 2024

Stewart came on board CNN as a political commentator before the 2016 election and frequently appeared on air to provide insight on the political news of the day. She last appeared Friday on “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”

Stewart told the Harvard Political Review in 2020 that she brings “a perspective that I think CNN appreciates.”

“My position at CNN is to be a conservative voice yet an independent thinker,” Stewart said. “I’m not a Kool-Aid drinker; I’m not a never-Trumper, and I didn’t check my common sense and decency at the door when I voted for (Trump).”

Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson posted on X that Stewart's “sudden death is such a loss to all who valued her friendship as well as her political passion”

“I first met Alice in Arkansas and I am proud that she focused on making friends in politics and not making enemies,” he posted. “Thank you Alice Stewart!”

sudden death is such a loss to all who valued her friendship as well as her political passion. I first met Alice in Arkansas and I am proud that she focused on making friends in politics and not making enemies. Thank you Alice Stewart!— Gov. Asa Hutchinson () May 18, 2024

Stewart also co-hosted the podcast “Hot Mics from Left to Right” alongside fellow CNN commentator Maria Cardona and served on the senior advisory committee at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's Kennedy School where she was previously a fellow.

In her free time, Stewart was an avid runner, according to CNN. She frequently posted photos from road races on social media, including from the TCS New York City Marathon, which she ran in November, and the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile race, which she ran last month.

You can read more tributes for Stewart, here:

I am stunned and saddened by the news of Alice Stewart’s passing. She was a political pro and a wonderfully nice person to just have a conversation with on any topic. I will miss Alice and will pray for her family. https://t.co/RxJ22Xlxbr— Chris Christie () May 18, 2024
My heart is broken over the passing of our dear colleague Alice Stewart. We’ve been friends going back to the 2012 campaign. We spent so many weekends talking politics with the wonderful - they always spoke so passionately but with kindness and civility. Alice was… pic.twitter.com/fv97A2LP7w— Jim Acosta () May 18, 2024
Just devastating news about our colleague Alice Stewart. She will always be remembered by her kindness above all. https://t.co/Y0WtT3WDD1— Kaitlan Collins () May 18, 2024
Gutted over this news. Alice Stewart was smart, savvy, funny & most importantly kind. She felt like she was from another era - a more decent one where we cd disagree respectfully. She was kind to me when I was in a low place & I’ll never forget it. Sending love to those closest…— Alyssa Farah Griffin () May 18, 2024


Source: Time

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