Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mia Love

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mia Love made an impact.

Mia Love is a political commentator and former politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Utah's 4th congressional district from 2015 to 2019. As a Haitian American, she achieved several historic milestones, including being the first Black person elected to Congress from Utah, the first Haitian-American elected to Congress, and the first Black woman elected to Congress as a Republican. Her career highlights her unique position within the Republican Party and her groundbreaking achievements in Utah politics.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

2003: Elected to Saratoga Springs City Council

In 2003, Mia Love won a seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council, marking her first elected office.

January 2004: Took Office on Saratoga Springs City Council

In January 2004, Mia Love took office on the Saratoga Springs City Council, becoming the first female Haitian-American elected official in Utah County.

January 2010: Began Term as Mayor of Saratoga Springs

In January 2010, Mia Love began her term as the Mayor of Saratoga Springs, after being elected.

2010: Elected Mayor of Saratoga Springs

In 2010, Mia Love was elected mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, after serving on its City Council.

December 15, 2011: Jim Matheson announced run for 4th Congressional District

On December 15, 2011, Jim Matheson, the six-term Democratic 2nd district incumbent, announced that he would seek the 4th congressional district seat.

April 21, 2012: Won Republican Nomination

On April 21, 2012, Mia Love won the Republican nomination for Congress in Utah's 4th congressional district with over 70 percent of the vote.

August 28, 2012: Speech at Republican National Convention

On August 28, 2012, Mia Love spoke at the Republican National Convention, discussing lessons learned from her immigrant parents and criticizing the current administration, describing to the convention that, "Mr. President, I am here to tell you we are not buying what you are selling in 2012."

2012: Proposal to Reduce Food Entitlement Spending

During her 2012 campaign, Mia Love proposed dramatically reducing food entitlement spending, including free school lunches and food assistance to pregnant mothers and the poor. She defended these cuts, stating the best way to help the poor and hungry is to help them get work.

2012: Republican National Convention Speech

In 2012, Mia Love spoke at the Republican National Convention, gaining national attention.

2012: Opposition to Federal Regulations

In 2012, Mia Love voiced her focus on opposing federal regulations, with particular attention to those set by the Environmental Protection Agency. She also expressed her support for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in 2012.

May 2013: Announced Run for Congress in 2014

In May 2013, Mia Love announced that she would run for Congress again in 2014.

July 2013: Campaign Fundraising

As of July 2013, Mia Love had raised over $475,000 for her congressional campaign.

November 2013: Acknowledged Need for Tea Party Shift

In November 2013, Mia Love acknowledged the growing consensus that the Tea Party needed to shift away from being the "party of no", disagreeing with its part in forcing a federal government shutdown over the budget.

December 17, 2013: Matheson Announced He Would Not Run For Re-election

On December 17, 2013, Jim Matheson announced that he would not run for re-election, making Mia Love the favored candidate due to her name recognition and characteristics of the district.

2013: Questioned Tea Party Driven Government Shutdown

In 2013, Mia Love angered some conservatives when she questioned the tea party driven government shutdown over Obamacare.

January 2014: End of Term as Mayor

In January 2014, Mia Love's term as mayor of Saratoga Springs concluded.

April 26, 2014: Won Republican Nomination

On April 26, 2014, Mia Love won the Republican nomination for the 4th congressional district at the Utah Republican Convention, receiving 78% of the vote.

October 2014: Utah's 4th District Most Likely to Change Hands

In early October 2014, the National Journal listed Utah's 4th district as the congressional district most likely to change hands in November's election.

2014: Opposition to Federal Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2014, Mia Love stated her opposition to the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

2014: Elected to Congress

In 2014, Mia Love was elected to Congress, defeating Democratic opponent Doug Owens.

March 2015: Support for March 2015 Budget

In March 2015, Mia Love supported the budget which required an increase in federal employee contributions to their retirement funds.

May 2015: Lead Sponsor of Student Right to Know Before You Go Act

In May 2015, Mia Love co-sponsored HR 2518, the Student Right to Know Before You Go Act, with Duncan D. Hunter, which was designed to increase the amount of information universities and colleges are required to provide prospective students.

October 2015: Named to Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood

In October 2015, Mia Love was named to serve on the Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood.

2015: Appointed to House Financial Services Committee

With the start of the 2015 Congress, Mia Love was appointed to the House Financial Services Committee.

April 2016: First Bill Through U.S. House

In April 2016, Mia Love got her first bill, HR3791, through the U.S. House. The bill raised limits on how large community banks can grow.

October 8, 2016: Public Statement Against Donald Trump

On October 8, 2016, Mia Love stated publicly that she would not vote for Donald Trump in the presidential election, following the release of a damaging video. She also urged Trump to withdraw from the race.

2016: Donations from Gun Lobbyists and NRA Endorsement

During the 2016 election season, Mia Love received approximately $63,000 in donations from gun lobbyists and was endorsed by the National Rifle Association.

2016: Re-elected to Congress

In 2016, Mia Love defeated Doug Owens again to win re-election to Congress.

December 2017: Introduced Stop Taxpayers Obligations to Perpetrators of Sexual Harassment Act

In December 2017, Mia Love introduced the Stop Taxpayers Obligations to Perpetrators of Sexual Harassment Act.

2017: Membership in Climate Solutions Caucus

By 2017, Mia Love had become a member of the Climate Solutions Caucus and stated that climate policies and economic growth are not mutually exclusive.

February 2018: Stop Taxpayers Obligations to Perpetrators of Sexual Harassment Act Passed

In February 2018, the Stop Taxpayers Obligations to Perpetrators of Sexual Harassment Act, introduced by Mia Love, was passed by the U.S. House. The bill would prevent members of Congress from settling sexual harassment claims with taxpayer money.

March 2018: Supported Creating Laws Against Pyramid Schemes

In March 2018, Mia Love became a supporter of creating federal laws against pyramid schemes. She also supported adding multivitamins to the list of items that could be purchased through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

May 2018: Small Bank Holding Company Relief Act Became Law

In May 2018, Mia Love's Small Bank Holding Company Relief Act became law.

May 2018: Defense Bill Included Language Co-Authored by Love

In May 2018, a defense bill included language that was co-authored by Mia Love. The language required the military to evaluate the effects of military policies on investigating service members who bring charges of sexual assault.

June 2018: Race Considered Consequential to Both Parties

In June 2018, CNN stated that the race between Mia Love and Ben McAdams was considered "consequential to both parties" because Love had "stood up to [President Donald Trump] on immigration".

June 2018: Denunciation of Trump Administration's Immigration Policy

In June 2018, Mia Love specifically denounced the Trump administration's separation of children from their parents when they crossed into the US under some circumstances.

November 20, 2018: McAdams Declared Winner

On November 20, 2018, Ben McAdams was declared the winner of the election, defeating Mia Love by 694 votes.

2018: Loss of Re-election

In 2018, Mia Love lost her re-election bid to Democrat Ben McAdams by 694 votes.

2018: Opposition to Trump's Tariffs

In early 2018, Mia Love joined other Utah political leaders in expressing opposition to President Trump's proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum.

2019: Hired as CNN Political Commentator

In 2019, after losing re-election, Mia Love was hired by CNN as a political commentator.

2020: Voted as an Elector

In the 2020 presidential election, Mia Love voted as an elector, replacing Sean Reyes.

2020: Fellow at Georgetown University

In the fall of 2020, Mia Love was appointed a fellow of the institute of politics and public service at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.

June 2021: Joined Center for Growth and Opportunity at Utah State University

In June 2021, Mia Love joined the Center for Growth and Opportunity at Utah State University as the national outreach director.

August 2021: Joined The View as Guest Host

In August 2021, Mia Love joined a rotating group of conservative guest hosts on the ABC daytime talk show The View for its 25th season, replacing Meghan McCain.

January 2023: Publication of memoir

In January 2023, Mia Love published her memoir, "Qualified: Finding Your Voice, Leading with Character, and Empowering Others," through Hachette Book Group.