Alice Stewart, a CNN political commentator and veteran political consultant who worked on a number of Republican presidential campaigns, has died at the age of 58, the news network reported Saturday.
Police in northern Virginia told CNN that Stewart’s body was found outside 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 Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNN’s reporting, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy but also for her unwavering kindness,” he wrote. “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss.”
No further information was available Saturday about the cause of death or survivors.
Born on March 11, 1966 in Atlanta, Stewart began her career as a local reporter in Georgia before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas to become a news anchor. She then became communications director in then-Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s office. She served in similar roles during Huckabee’s 2008 presidential campaign and was communications director for Minnesota Rep.’s 2012 presidential campaign. Michel Bachmann and then former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Most recently, Stewart served as communications director for Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s 2016 campaign.
“Heartbreaking,” Cruz posted on X on Saturday, formerly Twitter. “Alice was amazing and talented and a dear friend. And she loved America dearly. She lived every day to the fullest, and she will be deeply missed. May God’s comfort and peace be with her loved ones. RIP.”
Stewart came on board CNN before the 2016 election as a political commentator, regularly appearing on air to provide insight on the political news of the day. She last appeared on “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” on Friday.
Stewart told the Harvard Political Review in 2020 that she “brings a perspective that I think CNN will appreciate.”
“My position at CNN is to be a conservative voice yet an independent thinker,” Stewart said. “I’m not a Kool-Aid drinker; “I am not a never-Trumper, and I did not check my sanity and decency at the door when I voted for (Trump).”
Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson posted on
“I first met Alice in Arkansas and I am proud that she focused on making friends in politics and not on making enemies,” he wrote. “Thanks Alice Stewart!”
Stewart also co-hosted the podcast “Hot Mics from Left to Right” with fellow CNN commentator Maria Cardona and served on the senior advisory committee of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University’s Kennedy School, where she was previously a fellow used to be.
According to CNN, Stewart was an avid runner in her spare time. She regularly posted photos of road races on social media, including 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.
