The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Mia Love conceded defeat in her reelection bid. But first, she took a parting shot at Trump.

The president had suggested she lost because she didn’t ‘embrace’ him enough

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November 27, 2018 at 2:44 p.m. EST

Adapted from a story by The Washington Post’s John Wagner.

On Monday, Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah) conceded narrow defeat in her reelection bid against Democrat Ben McAdams. But in her speech, Love took aim at someone else: President Trump. She said the president has “no real relationships, just convenient transactions,” which is “an insufficient way to implement sincere service and policy.”

Trump had called her out by name at a White House news conference the day after Election Day, criticizing her and other defeated Republicans for not “embracing” him. Trump said: “Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost.”

President Trump on Nov. 7 blamed Republicans who lost their reelection bids for distancing themselves from Trump. (Video: Reuters)

With voting by mail a popular option in Utah, the outcome of Love’s race remained in doubt until last week, when the Associated Press called it for McAdams, the mayor of Salt Lake County. For a short time, Love had pulled ahead in the count, making it appear Trump’s assessment might have been premature.

Congress is severely lacking Republican women, and Trump is to blame

Speaking in Salt Lake City on Monday, Love said she was taken aback by Trump’s “jab” at her.

Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah) was defeated by Democrat Ben McAdams in a toss-up House race on Nov. 27. (Video: Reuters, Photo: Rick Bowmer/AP/Reuters)

Below are some notable comments Love made during her speech.

On Trump’s post-Election Day comments: “The president’s behavior towards me made me wonder: What did he have to gain by saying such a thing about a fellow Republican?” Love said.

On diversity in politics: “This election experience and these comments shines a spotlight on the problems Washington politicians have with minorities and black Americans — it’s transactional, it’s not personal. You see, we feel like politicians claim they know what’s best for us from a safe distance, yet they’re never willing to take us home.”

Eight white-majority districts elected black members of Congress this year. That’s big news.

On staying committed to being a Republican: Despite the fallout with Trump, Love said that she knows “conservative policies work” — and did not rule out a comeback bid for Congress in 2020.

On speaking more freely in the future: “I am unleashed, I am untethered, and I am unshackled, and I can say exactly what’s on my mind,” Love said.