Alice Stewart, CNN political commentator and political adviser, dies suddenly aged 58

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 neighbourhood early Saturday morning and that no foul play was suspected.

Officials believe Stewart suffered a medical episode, according to CNN.

In an email to staff, the network's CEO Mark Thompson called Stewart “a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at 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," he wrote. "Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss.”

No further information about the cause of death or survivors was available Saturday.

Stewart was born on 11 March 1966, in Atlanta, and began her career as a local reporter in Georgia before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas, to be a news anchor. She went on to serve as the communications director in then-Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee's office. She assumed similar roles during Mr Huckabee's presidential run in 2008 and served as communications director for the 2012 presidential bids of Minnesota Rep Michele Bachmann and then former Pennsylvania Sen Rick Santorum. Most recently, Stewart was the communications director for Texas Sen Ted Cruz's 2016 campaign.

“Heartbreaking," Mr Cruz posted Saturday on X, formerly Twitter. "⁦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.”

Stewart came on board CNN as a political commentator before the 2016 election and frequently appeared on air to provide insight on the political news of the day. She last appeared Friday on “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer”.

Stewart told the Harvard Political Review in 2020 that she brings “a perspective that I think CNN appreciates”.

“My position at CNN is to be a conservative voice yet an independent thinker,” Stewart said. “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 (Trump).”

Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson posted on X that Stewart's “sudden death is such a loss to all who valued her friendship as well as her political passion”.

“I first met Alice in Arkansas and I am proud that she focused on making friends in politics and not making enemies,” he posted. “Thank you Alice Stewart!”

Stewart also co-hosted the podcast “Hot Mics from Left to Right” alongside fellow CNN commentator Maria Cardona and served on the senior advisory committee at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's Kennedy School where she was previously a fellow.

In her free time, Stewart was an avid runner, according to CNN. She frequently posted photos from road races on social media, including from 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.