CNN political commentator Alice Stewart was seen beaming in what turned out to be her final Instagram post – hours before her sudden death.
The former comms director for Texas Republican Ted Cruz’s 2016 presidential campaign was found dead outdoors in Virginia on Saturday.
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Stewart, 58, appeared on Wolf Blitzer’s hit show The Situation Room on Friday night.
She and Maria Cardona, a fellow CNN political commentator, were seen beaming as they stood beside Blitzer.
“It’s always a sunny day when you can join the great Wolf Blitzer on CNN,” Stewart captioned the post.
Just weeks ago, Stewart shared snaps taken at a CNN brunch at the British Embassy.
And she was seen beaming in photographs taken at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
“What a fun White House correspondents dinner 2024 honoring amazing journalists and promoting the values of a free press,” she captioned one Instagram post.
Stewart’s cause of death remains unknown but investigators believe she may have suffered a medical emergency.
No foul play is suspected as investigations remain ongoing.
Tributes have poured in from the world of politics and journalism.
News anchor Dana Bash paid tribute to Stewart’s experience.
“One of the many reasons why she was so valuable to us on our political panels … is because she brought that experience,” she told CNN.
“She brought that understanding of how Republican politics, Republican campaigns work and she never, ever did it with anything other than a smile.”
CNN titan Blitzer said he was saddened by the news of Stewart’s death.
“She was a very special person and we will miss her,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
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“May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing.”
Mark Thompson, the CEO of CNN, described Stewart as a dear friend in an email to co-workers.
“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,” the email said.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss.”
She brought that understanding of how Republican politics, Republican campaigns work.
Dana Bash
Cardona revealed she was planning to record a podcast episode with Stewart.
In a heartbreaking tribute on CNN Newsroom, she described Stewart as a shining light.
Broadcaster Jim Acosta and Alyssa Farah Griffin, the former White House Director of Strategic Communications under ex-president Donald Trump, shared their sorrow.
Before joining CNN, Stewart’s background was in politics.
She worked as part of the 2012 presidential campaign teams for Michele Bachmann, a Minnesota congresswoman, and Rick Santorum, a now former US senator.
Stewart, of Atlanta, Georgia, worked as a communications director for GOP Senator Ted Cruz during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Cruz has led tributes among Republican politicians.
“Heartbreaking. Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend. And she loved America fiercely,” he posted on X.
“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.”
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Chris Christie, a former GOP presidential candidate, said he was stunned and saddened by Stewart’s death.
He described her as a political pro and a wonderfully nice person.
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