CNN political commentator Alice Stewart dies at 58

CNN political commentator Alice Stewart died Saturday at 58, the network said.

Police told CNN that Stewart's body was found outside of her home in the Belle View neighborhood in Virginia early Saturday morning. Police said they believe she had a medical emergency and that there was no foul play involved.

"I am turned inside out at this tragic news," tweeted Maria Cardona, whom Stewart called her "amiga" and posted a photo with on Friday. "Alice & I were like sisters from opposite ends of the political aisle. We debated, but (with) respect. I will miss her dearly, but seems God needed some top-notch communications help."

Stewart joined Cardona and Wolf Blitzer, the anchor of CNN's The Situation Room, to offer political analysis, said Blitzer in a post on X.

"She was a very special person, and we will miss her," tweeted Blitzer.

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Who was Alice Stewart?

Stewart, who was born in Atlanta on March 11, 1966, was a CNN political commentator, communications consultant, veteran senior communications adviser on numerous presidential campaigns," states Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics, where she was a member of the Senior Advisory Committee.

She was “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,” wrote CNN's CEO Mark Thompson in an email sent to staff, reports the network. “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss.”

According to Harvard, Stewart also contributed to National Public Radio.

The institute states the political commentator previously worked as a communications director for Ted Cruz's presidential campaigns and developed communications strategies for:

• Concerned Women for America
• Republican National Senatorial Committee
• The Republican National Congressional Committee
• Rick Scott for Florida Governor

In her career, she was also an anchor and reporter in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Savannah, Georgia, and served as Deputy Secretary of State for the State of Arkansas, Harvard said.

CNN also reported that the commentator was an avid runner. On Instagram, she posted photos of her dog, Sammie, photos and footage of her at marathons, and photos from her at work or with colleagues.

Remembering Stewart

Rick Santorum, who used to work with Stewart, tweeted that she was a "faithful witness to her Savior Jesus."

"I don’t know anyone who ever met @AliceStewartDC that didn’t like her or anyone that knew Alice that didn’t love her," Santorum said in the tweet.

Cruz tweeted that Stewart was a "wonderful and talented and a dear friend" who "loved America fiercely."

'A conservative voice, yet an independent thinker'

In 2020, Stewart told Harvard Political Review that she believed she brought a perspective that CNN appreciated, reports the Associated Press.

“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).”

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture.You can follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz