After being named one of the 25 most influential women of the GOP in 2013 by Newsweek, Mia Love is doing her best to become a household name in American politics. And, with a track record of historic moments and success at various levels, she appears to be succeeding.
Love, who is currently a member of the U.S. House from Utah, was born to Haitian parents in Brooklyn, New York in 1975, two years after her parents left Haiti in an attempt to escape harsh political repression. Love’s parents hoped to provide for their daughter a better experience and upbringing than their home country could offer. Eighteen years later, Love excelled through school and was offered a partial college scholarship to the University of Hartford.
Love got her start in politics when she was named to the Saratoga Springs City Council in Utah in 2003. Almost immediately, she turned around what had been a faltering and flailing economy, pointing it in the right direction and eventually helping the city secure the highest possible bond rating. Just a few years later, she was elected Mayor, and shortly after decided to run for congress.
After losing her first bid for congress in 2012 by mere fractions of a percentage point, Love ran again in 2014, this time winning the Republican nomination and eventually the spot in the House for Utah’s 4th district. By winning, Love became the first ever African American Republican female in congress. She hasn’t stopped making splashes in the GOP since.
“It’s really nice when you feel like you’re working hard to move the needle and somebody isn’t just giving you something,” Love told Deseret News. “You’re really having to chase and earn that vote.”
Despite criticism from Doug Owens, her Democratic opponent in the 2014 election whom she beat by about 4,000 votes, Love has continued to make motions to improve the communities in Utah. In 2016, Love made a tangible impact when she passed her first bill through congress, which helped raise the limit on the size of community banks, effectively making more credit available to the community.
Love will face off against Owens again in the 2016 election, seeking to retain her position in congress where she will undoubtedly continue to gain traction within the GOP and make history for the state of Utah.
