CNN political commentator and veteran GOP consultant Alice Stewart dies at age 58

Alice Stewart, a Republican political adviser and CNN commentator, is dead at age 58.

Officials said her body was found outside in a northern Virginia neighborhood early Saturday morning, according to CNN.

Her death is believed to be the result of a medical emergency, not foul play, officials said.

"Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN," network CEO Mark Thompson told staff in an email Saturday.

He said she was 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 served as communications director for Michele Bachmann's 2012 Republican presidential campaign as well as for former Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Rick Santorum. She was also the communications director for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential campaign.

"Heartbreaking. ⁦Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend. And she loved America fiercely," Cruz said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, in response to her death.

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