Montana Leaders React to Assassination of Young Conservative Leader Charlie Kirk

HELENA — Montana political leaders from across the political spectrum condemned the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and called for an end to political violence following his death Wednesday evening at a Utah college campus.

Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot by a sniper yesterday while speaking at Utah Valley University and died hours later at a nearby hospital. The shooting prompted immediate reactions from Montana’s top elected officials, many expressing personal connections to the young conservative leader.

“I’ve known Charlie since he was a teenager,” Governor Greg Gianforte posted on social media. “He dedicated his life to supporting the next generation of leaders and getting young people involved in government. Political violence has no place in America. Please keep his wife and their young children in your prayers.”

Senator Tim Sheehy called Kirk’s death “heartbreaking news,” writing that “Charlie was a good man and a patriot who fought tirelessly to make our country better. The impact of his work on behalf of the conservative movement and to encourage young people to engage in our politics will be felt for generations to come.”

Bipartisan Condemnation

The condemnation of political violence crossed party lines, though Democratic responses were notably limited. Legislative Democratic Leaders Senator Pat Flowers of Belgrade and House Democratic Leader Katie Sullivan of Missoula issued a joint statement condemning the killing.

“We are shocked by the killing of Charlie Kirk,” the Democratic leaders said. “There is no place for political violence in this society. No one, regardless of their politics, should have to fear for their lives when speaking in public or engaging in their civic rights. We condemn this horrific act.”

Ryan Cooney, son of former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney and a Helena teacher, expressed similar sentiments: “Learning of Charlie Kirk’s death, I feel only sadness and anger. Sadness for his family, anger that we find ourselves in this state as THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Sickening. Deflating. Scary. We must be better than this.”

Personal Tributes

Many Montana Republicans shared personal stories of Kirk’s influence on their political careers. Charlie Roth, who works for Representative Troy Downing, credited Kirk with inspiring her involvement in politics.

“I wouldn’t be where I’m at without Charlie Kirk,” Roth wrote. “I went to my first TPUSA event when I was 15 in D.C. That’s where I fell in love with politics, and I knew I had to get involved. I started a TPUSA chapter in Montana and was involved in the UM chapter.”

Montana Young Republicans echoed similar sentiments: “Most of our members would have never gotten involved with politics if it wasn’t for Charlie Kirk. This is a devastating loss for the youth conservative movement and our country as a whole.”

Representative Troy Downing praised Kirk’s willingness to engage in political discourse: “Charlie Kirk made it his life’s mission to wade fearlessly into the often-hostile arena of political discourse. He was an unapologetic defender of this country and conservative values but always extended his microphone to hear the other side.”

Former Bozeman Mayor Jeff Krauss offered a different perspective on the rhetoric debate, posting simply: “Words are not violence. Violence is violence.”

Planned Montana Events

Kirk’s death came as he was scheduled to visit Montana next month. Jeremy Carl, a frequent Montana political commentator, shared an upcoming event for “The American Comeback Tour ft. Charlie Kirk” scheduled for October 7 at Montana State University, calling for the tour to continue as “an incredible tribute to Charlie and the ideas he fought so bravely for.”

Representative Ryan Zinke announced a prayer vigil on Capitol Hill, inviting “Montanans to join us in prayer and spirit praying for Charlie, his family and our divided nation. We must heal.”

University Response

University of Montana President Seth Bodnar issued a comprehensive statement condemning violence on college campuses.

“Universities must be spaces where ideas – even those that challenge us — are met with dialogue, not violence,” Bodnar wrote. “We are committed to fostering a climate where free expression is protected and encouraged, and where disagreement is met with respectful debate, not retaliation.”

Controversial Reactions

Not all reactions were sympathetic. Matthew McGraw, a recent Montana State University graduate, reported that a Students for Democratic Society leader at the university called Kirk’s death an “Act of Karma” and said he had “no sympathy for Charlie Kirk.”

Reilly Neill, a Democratic congressional candidate, posted a message suggesting that rhetoric contributes to violence: “We must each reckon with how our words and our bold claims feed a culture that returns violence in kind. If we do not account for our own part in the spiral, we risk becoming victims of a darkness we helped unleash.”

Scott Presler identified Madeleine Rafter, a mental health therapist at Helena Indian Alliance, as posting “bummer bro” in response to news of Kirk’s assassination. Rafter subsequently deleted her Instagram account.

Adria Jowart, a transgender activist and writer with the Daily Montanan who posts on X under the name Indigenous Transilience, made two posts mocking Kirk’s death, writing “Yes. Charlie Kirk was DESTROYED in a gun debate” and “True. Charlie Kirk’s death was a very reasonable trade off.”

Nicole Gallagher-Kiner, an Assistant Public Defender in Billings, posted on Facebook that Kirk “absolutely did” deserve to die, referencing his 2023 comments about accepting gun deaths as a cost of Second Amendment rights. “He said CHILDREN deserved to die so he could go shoot some guns and act like a hot shot,” Gallagher-Kiner wrote. “That is not just ‘not a hero’ it’s an abomination of LIFE.”

Gallagher-Kiner elaborated that Kirk “was arrogant enough to overlook the flaw in his thinking. If shooting deaths are an acceptable sacrifice to keep our second amendment rights, he overlooked the fact that this meant his death was also acceptable.” She added that “Charlie Kirk literally died on the hill he built.”

Calls for Unity

Montana Family Foundation, Montana House Republicans, and the Montana Republican Party all called for prayers and an end to political violence. Commissioner James Brown emphasized that “nobody should ever be shot for exercising their First Amendment rights.”

Aaron Flint, host of Montana’s popular conservative talk radio show Montana Talks, remembered Kirk as “an incredible man of faith, father, and American patriot.”

The assassination has left Montana’s conservative movement mourning the loss of a figure who inspired many young Republicans to enter politics, while the limited Democratic response highlighted the political divide even in condemning violence.