Alice Stewart, a CNN political commentator and veteran political adviser who worked on a number of GOP presidential campaigns, has died at age 58, the news network reported Saturday.
Police in northern Virginia told CNN that Stewart’s body was found outdoors in the Bellevue neighborhood early Saturday morning and that no crime was suspected. Officials believe Stewart may have experienced a medical issue, according to CNN.
In a message sent to staff, the network’s CEO Mark Thompson called Stewart “a much-valued colleague and friend.”
“A respected political analyst and Emmy Award-winning journalist, Stewart brought a unique perspective to CNN’s political coverage,” he wrote. “Her political knowledge and unwavering kindness were known throughout our bureaus. We are deeply saddened by such a great loss.”
No additional details about the cause of death or survivors were reported on Saturday.
Stewart was born on March 11, 1966, in Atlanta, and began her career as a local reporter in Georgia before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas to work as a news anchor. She served as the communications director in then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s office. She held similar roles during Huckabee’s presidential campaign in 2008 and directed communications for the 2012 presidential bids of Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Stewart most recently served as the communications director for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s 2016 campaign.
“Heartbreaking,” Cruz posted Saturday on X, formerly Twitter. “Alice was an exceptional and talented person and a close friend. She had a deep love for America. She lived each day to the fullest, and she will be greatly missed. May her loved ones find comfort and peace. RIP.”
Stewart joined CNN as a political commentator before the 2016 election and regularly appeared on air, offering her insights on current political events. She last appeared on Friday during “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”
Stewart said in a 2020 interview with the Harvard Political Review that she brought “a perspective that CNN values.”
“I am a conservative voice at CNN, but I also think independently,” Stewart said. “I don’t blindly support the party line, I’m not a never-Trumper, and I didn’t give up my common sense and decency when I voted for (Trump).”
Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson posted on X that Stewart’s “unexpected death is a great loss to those who cherished her friendship as well as her political passion”
“I first met Alice in Arkansas and I am grateful that she focused on making friends in politics rather than enemies,” he posted. “Thank you Alice Stewart!”
Stewart also co-hosted the podcast “Hot Mics from Left to Right” with fellow CNN commentator Maria Cardona and served on the advisory committee at Harvard University’s Kennedy School Institute of Politics, where she was once a fellow herself.
In her spare time, Stewart was a dedicated runner, according to CNN. She often shared photos of road races on social media, such as 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.
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah)