Alice Stewart, a political commentator for CNN who worked for several Republican presidential campaigns, has died, the cable news outlet reported on Saturday. She was 58.
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Law enforcement officials told CNN that Stewart’s body was found outdoors in a northern Virginia neighborhood. Police said no foul play was suspected and believe that Stewart suffered a medical emergency.
“Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN,” Mark Thompson, the network’s CEO, said in an email to staff on Saturday. “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.”
Alice Stewart, a veteran political adviser and CNN political commentator who worked on several GOP presidential campaigns, has died. She was 58.https://t.co/BKlIj5VPED
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) May 18, 2024
Stewart was born on March 11, 1966, in Atlanta. She attended the University of Georgia . where she graduated with a degree in broadcast news and political science, according to the Harvard International Review.
A stunning loss for the CNN family: Political commentator @AliceStewartDC has died https://t.co/QNl5w9xYg7 pic.twitter.com/9qaC9FEz50
— Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) May 18, 2024
Stewart began her career as a local reporter and producer in Georgia before becoming a weekend news anchor for KARK-TV in Little Rock, Arkansas, CNN reported. According to Stewart’s LinkedIn profile, she worked at the station from January 1998 to January 2005.
She also worked as a reporter in Savannah, Georgia, Fox News reported.
Stewart served as the communications director for then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s office in 2005 before assuming a similar role for his presidential run in 2008, according to the cable news outlet.
Stewart served as the communications director in 2012 for the presidential campaigns of former Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, CNN reported. After the 2012 election, Stewart hosted a radio talk show for KHTE-FM in Little Rock, according to Politico.
Horrible news about our beloved and gifted commentator Alice Stewart. Just awful. We are all gutted. https://t.co/07iMO30HWP
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 18, 2024
She later was the communications director for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz during his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, according to the news outlet.
“Heartbreaking. Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend,” Cruz wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “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.”
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 18, 2024Heartbreaking. 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
Stewart was also an occasional host on SiriusXM radio on the POTUS Channel.
She was hired by CNN as a political commentator before the 2016 presidential election, CNN reported.
Just devastating news about our colleague Alice Stewart. She will always be remembered by her kindness above all. https://t.co/Y0WtT3WDD1
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 18, 2024
Stewart was a frequent contributor on CNN, with her last appearance occurring on Friday on the network’s evening program, “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”
She also served on the senior advisory committee at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University’s Kennedy School, CNN reported. She was also a fellow at the school.
I am turned inside out at this tragic news. As many know, Alice & I were like sisters from opposite ends of the political aisle. We debated but w respect. I will miss her dearly but seems God needed some top-notch communications help. RIP beautiful friend. https://t.co/jFcXn40M3J
— Maria Cardona (@MariaTCardona) May 18, 2024
A list of survivors was unavailable, according to The New York Times.
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 @MariaTCardona - they always spoke so passionately but with kindness and civility. Alice was… pic.twitter.com/fv97A2LP7w
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 18, 2024
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 (@GovChristie) 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 (@Alyssafarah) May 18, 2024
Alice was just about the nicest person you’d ever hope to meet, deeply committed to improving civil discourse, and passionate about bringing better representation for middle American conservatives to elite corridors. RIP, Alice. You will be missed. https://t.co/0Va1QcXr7M
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) May 18, 2024
Alice Stewart was a woman’s woman who brought kindness and support along with smarts and expertise. I met her in Iowa in 2007 covering the Huckabee presidential campaign and worked with her in politics before I got to call her a CNN colleague. I can’t believe she’s gone. pic.twitter.com/GfReopigt7
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) May 18, 2024
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) May 18, 2024Alice Stewart was a kind, talented, and faith-filled woman of God.
She will be sincerely missed. My heart and my prayers go out to her family. 🙏🏻❤️https://t.co/IGtNYfulRS
I’m so sad that my friend and @CNN colleague @AliceStewartDC has passed away. It was only yesterday when she joined Maria Cardona and me for her always excellent political analysis. She was a very special person and we will miss her. May she Rest In Peace and may her Memory Be A… pic.twitter.com/AePd4qVM8a
— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) May 18, 2024
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