Alice Stewart Called Herself Conservative but Independent

Alice Stewart, a CNN political commentator and veteran political adviser who worked on a number of Republican presidential campaigns, has died at age 58, the news network reported. Police in northern Virginia told CNN that Stewart's body was found outdoors in the Bellevue neighborhood early Saturday morning and that no foul play was suspected, per the AP. Officials believe Stewart suffered a medical episode, according to the network. In an email to staff, 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," Thompson wrote. Stewart, who was born in Atlanta, worked as a local reporter in Georgia before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas, to be a news anchor. She went on to serve as communications director in then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's office. She assumed similar roles during Huckabee's presidential run in 2008 and the 2012 presidential bids of Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum. She also served as communications director for Sen. Ted Cruz's 2016 campaign. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson posted on X that Stewart "focused on making friends in politics and not making enemies."

Stewart came on board CNN as a political commentator before the 2016 election. She last appeared Friday. "My position at CNN is to be a conservative voice yet an independent thinker," Stewart told the Harvard Political Review in 2020. "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)." Stewart also co-hosted the podcast "Hot Mics from Left to Right" with Maria Cardona of CNN. 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 that she ran in November.

(More obituary stories.)