As loved ones continue to mourn CNN commentator Alice Stewart, some information about what might have led to her sudden death has come to light.
Law enforcement officials told CNN, which confirmed Stewart's death May 18, her body was found outdoors in the Belle View neighborhood of northern Virginia early in the morning. No foul play is suspected at this time, with officers believing a medical emergency occurred, though they did not provide an exact cause.
Stewart began her career as a local reporter and producer in Georgia before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas, to be a news anchor. It was through her job in Little Rock that she got to know then-Governor Mike Huckabee, she previously told the Harvard International Review, and began first working in his office as communications director before taking on the same role for his 2008 presidential run.
She would go on to work fore three more presidential campaigns, including the 2012 Republican presidential bids of former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and then former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and, most recently, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's presidential campaign in 2016. It was ahead of the 2016 general election that Stewart was hired as a political commentator for CNN.
Throughout her time with the network, she co-hosted the Hot Mics From Left to Right podcast alongside CNN's Maria Cardona and often appeared on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.
"We always invited her to come on my show because we knew we would be a little bit smarter at the end of that conversation," Wolf Blitzer told Jessica Dean on CNN Newsroom following Stewart's death. "She helped our viewers better appreciate what was going on and that's why we will miss her so much."
Cardona added, "I want everyone to know what a special person she was, especially in this industry. As you know, today's politics can be indecent and so dirty, and Alice was just such a loving, shining light."
In addition to being an avid runner in her free time, including finishing the New York Marathon in November, Stewart also served on the senior advisory committee at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's Kennedy School, where she was previously a fellow.
In October 2020, Stewart reflected on her role as a conservative voice on CNN and in politics at large.
"There are different facets of conservatism these days," she told the Harvard Political Review. "There are people who are supportive of Donald Trump, and there are never-Trumpers. I support the president, but there are a lot of things I don't agree with regarding his tone and demeanor, and I call him out on it when necessary."
She continued, "I provide my perspective on the politics of the day from my conservative viewpoint. My position at CNN is to be a conservative voice yet an independent thinker. 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 this president. I bring a perspective that I think CNN appreciates."
To see more tributes for Stewart, keep reading...
Jake Tapper
"Horrible news about our beloved and gifted commentator Alice Stewart," the CNN anchor wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Just awful. We are all gutted."
Jessica Dean
"We are devastated by this. Alice was a special soul—so many people came out tonight saying she’d helped them with something or sent encouraging texts," the CNN correspondent reflected. "Always leading with her humanity. I’m so thankful for her encouragement and support over the years. We’ll miss her terribly."
Chris Christie
"I am stunned and saddened by the news of Alice Stewart’s passing," the former N.J. Governor shared. "She was a political pro and a wonderfully nice person to just have a conversation with on any topic. I will miss Alice and will pray for her family."
Wolf Blitzer
"We always invited her to come on my show because we knew we would be a little bit smarter at the end of that conversation," The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer host said on CNN Newsroom. "She helped our viewers better appreciate what was going on and that's why we will miss her so much."
Ted Cruz
"Heartbreaking," the Texas senator wrote. "Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend. And she loved America fiercely. She lived every day to the fullest, and she will be deeply missed. May God’s comfort and peace be upon her loved ones. RIP."
Ana Navarro-Cárdenas
"I’m very sad about this news," The View co-host shared. "Alice was kind, decent, hard-working and a woman whose faith sustained her. She was a breath of fresh air -always professional- at a time when lack of decorum and civility reign in political discussions. May she rest in peace."
"@AliceStewartDC sudden death is such a loss to all who valued her friendship as well as her political passion," the former governor of Arkansas noted. "I first met Alice in Arkansas and I am proud that she focused on making friends in politics and not making enemies. Thank you Alice Stewart!