Alice Stewart, a CNN political commentator who worked on several GOP presidential campaigns, has passed away at the age of 58.
Law enforcement told CNN that Stewart’s body was discovered early Saturday morning in the Bellevue neighborhood of northern Virginia. Officials indicated no foul play is suspected and believe a medical emergency occurred. Her cause of death has not yet been determined.
In an email to staff, CNN CEO Mark Thompson wrote, “Alice was 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. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss.”
Born on March 11, 1966, in Atlanta, Georgia, Stewart began her career as a local news reporter and producer. She later moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, to work as a news anchor, as she told the Harvard International Review in 2020.
Stewart served as the communications director in then-Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s office and later worked in the same capacity during his 2008 presidential run.
In the following years, she held the role of communications director for several other GOP campaigns, including those for former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Stewart joined CNN as a political commentator ahead of the 2016 election, where she frequently appeared on air. She also co-hosted the podcast Hot Mics From Left to Right with fellow CNN commentator Maria Cardona.
Regarding her role at CNN, she told Harvard Political Review in 2020 that she brings “a perspective that I think CNN appreciates.” She added, “My position at CNN is to be a conservative voice yet an independent thinker. 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).”
Her final appearance on the network was Friday on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.
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