Remembering the ‘Problematic’ Bre Payton

Katrina Trinko /

Bre Payton, a writer for The Federalist, was a longtime collaborator with and friend of The Daily Signal.

Bre, who died Friday, was in and out of the Daily Signal offices on a near-weekly basis, as the co-host of “Problematic Women” podcast, which she worked on with our Kelsey Harkness, Lauren Evans, and more recently, Ginny Montalbano. I knew it was “Problematic Women” day because I’d often see Kelsey, Bre, and Lauren huddled up in Kelsey’s office, discussing what stories to cover.

They had fun, too; when they came out of the podcast studio, they’d often be all smiles. They were serious—they knew it was important for conservative women to discuss these topics and show that there was a diversity of views among women—but they also took a lighter approach about some of the zanier media stories and politically correct insanity. They chose the name “Problematic Women” because they knew that’s how the left saw them: they were “problematic” because they thought for themselves.

(Bre and Kelsey, presumably prepping for “Problematic Women.”)

Bre’s family posted this update on a GoFundMe raising funds for a scholarship in Bre’s name:

Around 8:30, on Dec. 27, Bre’s friend went into her room and found her unresponsive and barely breathing. She immediately called 911 and Bre was taken to the hospital where she was admitted to the ICU, sedated and intubated, and doctors began working up a diagnosis. After a CT scan and hours of testing, they have determined she has the H1N1 flu and encephalitis. George [Bre’s dad] stayed at the hospital with her in San Diego.

She unfortunately passed away, and has gone to be with the Lord. Her memory will live on by her four siblings and parents. At this time we ask that you keep her family uplifted in prayer and know that we will see her again.

Kelsey shared this beautiful story about Bre on her Instagram Friday:

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Everything Bre did was extra. At @fdrlst, she didn’t just write about making the world a better place, she made it one. On her way to one of the last Problematic Women podcasts we recorded together, she saw a homeless man overdosing on the streets. While most would walk by and continue on with their lives, Bre walked over to the police and demanded they help. She then stayed and watched until they did. Amid her success, Bre was always asking how she could help the next person in line. At 26, she probably helped more people than most do in their lifetime. Without me ever asking, she gave my name to Fox News producers. Why? Because she believed in me more than I believed in myself. Bre was a full three years younger than me (we are birthday twins with Kanye West), but if you met her, you’d never know because she was wise beyond her years. I think that’s because Bre was an older sister to four—and I pray for those beautiful souls tonight. I also pray for her parents, who were her #1 fans, and for her boyfriend Ryan, who loved her to no end. Bre pushed me to have deeper faith both in myself and in the Lord, and reminded me that life is always better with a little lipstick or good hair. Although she was only here for a short time, she left her mark on the world. She was unapologetic in everything she did, and in everything she believed. I’ll never understand why she had to leave so soon, but find comfort in knowing that she was a strong believer in Christ, and is now in better hands. Sleep in heavenly, eternal peace, my love. This night is silent without you.??? *If you’re interested in donating, Bre’s family has set up a scholarship in her name to support young, rising Christian leaders who share Bre’s passion for life, purpose, and truth. Link in bio. Thank you for all the kind words and prayers. They mean a lot.

A post shared by Kelsey Harkness (@conservativeyogagirl) on

Bre and Kelsey interviewed Kellyanne Conway, an adviser to President Trump, in March. (Photo: Lauren Evans/The Daily Signal)

And Lauren remembered her on Twitter:

Ive never met anyone in D.C. who was truly as selfless, genuine, beautiful, and kind as @Bre_payton. I know we’re hurting a lot down here, but I take comfort knowing she’s with Jesus tonight. pic.twitter.com/wmJeuetO0X

— Lauren Evans #10hana?? (@laurenelizevans) December 29, 2018

Lauren adds:

Bre really cared for the conservative movement. This wasn’t just a job for her—she lived and breathed the values we talked about. More than most people I’ve met in the city.

She was so smart—she could write headline or even a whole section/article so fast and make the boring topics really engaging.

She wanted to see others around her succeed and just embodied servant love and selfless-ness. This is something Kelsey and I talked about a lot even before her passing. … Bre always pushed me to actually be on the podcast, to talk about things that I’m passionate about, and when I was in the control room make sure that I got credit for being the producer. I wanted to take her as my plus one to the Heritage Christmas party this year, but the deadline to register a plus one had passed and even though she wanted to come, she didn’t want me to bother the events staff with having to add another name.

Bre reporting during the Kavanaugh confirmation fight. (Photo: Lauren Evans/The Daily Signal)

Ginny also remembered Bre on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/GinnyMontalbano/status/1078797187268657153

https://twitter.com/GinnyMontalbano/status/1078797406601383938

Others on the Daily Signal team remembered her, too:

Life is such a precious gift. @Bre_payton lived hers exquisitely well and we will never forget her. There are no words for the perpetual void her loss will leave in this world.

— Lyndsey Fifield (@lyndseyfifield) December 28, 2018

An incredibly sad day for everyone who knew her–> Bre Payton, Beloved Staff Writer At The Federalist, Has Passed Away https://t.co/BWZTPrivTt

— Jarrett Stepman (@JarrettStepman) December 28, 2018

https://twitter.com/RobertBluey/status/1078746927993421831

And finally, this wonderful picture of Kelsey and Bre from CPAC in 2018, when they encouraged other women to embrace their “problematic” status:

My podcast co-host. My Problematic Woman in crime. My birthday twin. My very dear friend. At just 26, @Bre_payton was youger than me, but felt more like my big sister. I am in complete shock that we lost this beautiful soul, and am comforted only by the faith she had in the Lord. pic.twitter.com/8rUNejejdu

— Kelsey Harkness (@kelseyjharkness) December 28, 2018

Many of the tributes to Bre, like Kelsey’s, have mentioned her faith. The last time I saw Bre was earlier this month, and I thought she was heading to shoot “Problematic Women” since I ran into her a block from The Heritage Foundation building. But no, said Bre, she’d already done that. Instead, she told me—and this was a Wednesday, around lunch, mind you, not a Sunday morning—she’d just been to church. And then, because one of the things I liked the most about Bre was how easily she could slide from serious to a little silly, we discussed a new nail product she’d told me about recently.

We’re going to miss her a lot at the Daily Signal offices.

If you want to honor her memory, her family has set up the “Bre Payton Scholarship Fund in loving memory of Bre’s beautiful light, joyful spirit, hard-working ethics, and compassionate heart” to fund “college scholarships to support other young, rising Christian leaders who share in Bre’s passion for truth, purpose, and life.” Contribute here.

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