Mia Love won Utah's 4th District and made history by becoming the first black female Republican elected to Congress, reports USA Today.

Love, 38, the former mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, defeated Democrat Doug Owens, a Salt Lake City attorney, by finishing with 64,390 votes on Tuesday. Owens finished with 60,165 votes.

Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson, who Love ran against and lost to two years ago, decided not to run for another term. Love's win means Utah will not have Democratic representation.

People magazine reports that Love was surrounded by her husband, Jason, and their children (Alessa, 14; Abigail, 11; and Peyton, 7) when her victory was announced.

In the 4th District race, Owens attempted to convince voters that Love held extreme views and would not work in a bipartisan fashion. Love accused Owens of personal attacks instead of addressing key issues.

Republicans across the nation backed Love. She raised millions in campaign contributions.

Facts about Mia Love

According to the biography on Love's campaign website, Love is best known for her conservative positions on increased citizen liberties, limited government and limited business restraints.

Here are other interesting facts about Love, according to People magazine:

  1. Love is the daughter of Haitian immigrants.
  2. Her given name: Ludmya "Mia" Bourdeau.
  3. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
  4. She attended the University of Hartford.
  5. She met her husband while he was serving a Latter-day Saints mission in Connecticut.
  6. She is a Mormon.
  7. She is pro-life.
  8. Pro-gun, Love holds a concealed weapons permit.
  9. Love was inspired to pursue politics after serving as the community spokesperson in a battle to get the neighborhood developer to resolve a bug infestation.
  10. Love believes in personal responsibility and reduced government dependency.
  11. Love served two terms on the city council of Saratoga Springs.
  12. As the former mayor of the same city, Love led the city successfully through a transition from agricultural fields to a flourishing residential community.

Being the first black Republican woman in Congress doesn't unnerve Love. She recently told Newsweek: "I'm perfectly comfortable in my skin. My parents always told me, 'In order for people to see you as an equal, you need to act as an equal and be an equal.' "