Alice Stewart, Republican CNN Commentator, Found Dead In NoVA Neighborhood

BELLE HAVEN, VA — Alice Stewart, a CNN commentator who had worked for several Republican campaigns, was found dead in a Fairfax County neighborhood south of Alexandria.

According to CNN, Stewart, 58, was found dead outside in the Belle View neighborhood Saturday morning. Authorities believe her death was the result of a medical emergency.

"Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN," said CNN's CEO Mark Thompson in a statement published on CNN. "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."

Stewart first worked as a local reporter, producer and news anchor in Georgia and Arkansas. She got involved in politics as communication director for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee before working communications on Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign. She also worked as deputy secretary of state in Arkansas.

In 2012, Stewart served in communications roles for the presidential campaigns of former Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Sen. Rick Santorum. She was communication director for Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential bid in 2016.

"Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend. And she loved America fiercely," said Cruz in a social media statement. "She lived every day to the fullest, and she will be deeply missed."

Other past communications campaigns Stewart worked on included Concerned Women for America, Republican National Senatorial Committee, Republican National Congressional Committee and Rick Scott's Florida gubernatorial campaign.

Stewart worked for CNN as a commentator since the 2016 presidential election and was seen as an expert on Republican politics and campaigns. She most recently appeared on "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" on Friday.

"I’m so sad that my friend and @CNN colleague @AliceStewartDC has passed away," Blitzer said in a tweet on Saturday. "It was only yesterday when she joined Maria Cardona and me for her always excellent political analysis. She was a very special person and we will miss her."

In 2020, she served as a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics. She told Harvard Political Review that she isn't a "Trump apologist" but agrees with some of his stances.

"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," Stewart told Harvard Political Review. "I don’t think everything that he does is great, and I don’t think everything that he does is bad. My position at CNN is to be a conservative voice yet an independent thinker."

Stewart co-hosted the podcast "Hot Mics From Left to Right" with Maria Cardona, a Democratic CNN commentator.

"I am turned inside out at this tragic news," Cardona tweeted after Stewart's death. "As many know, Alice & I were like sisters from opposite ends of the political aisle. We debated but w respect. I will miss her dearly but seems God needed some top-notch communications help."