By Kat Stansell
October 10, 2025
Lake, Lee, and Manatee Counties Lead The Way
Image of rendering of Kirk Memorial, New College of Florida, USA Today.
As of October 9, 2025, three counties in Florida have written resolutions to rename thoroughfares within their boundaries to honor the murdered Christian activist, Charlie Kirk the head of Turning Point USA. Two, Lake and Lee, have passed them.
The LAKE COUNTY Commission voted unanimously, Sept. 29, to rename Schofield Road (a section of Wellness Way from US 27 to Orange County line) as “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.” Signs are installed, and a ceremony is planned for later in October.
LEE COUNTY Board of Commissioners, as of October 1, adopted a resolution proposed by the Lake County Republican Assembly, to rename a section of Summerlin Blvd., as Charlie Kirk Blvd. Kudos for the Lake Co. FRA in particular, given the state’s attacks on the FRA organization to date.
The board of MANATEE COUNTY Commission, on October 8, unanimously voted to direct staff to prepare a resolution naming a section of 51st St. in Bradenton in honor of Kirk – with the explicit intent to hold an advertised public hearing at an, as yet, unnamed date. Final resolution is still pending that hearing.
A proposal in ST. LUCIE COUNTY will come up for a vote next week (10/14).
The New College of Florida announced that it will commission a statue of Kirk to be erected on campus. This is the image at the head of this article, and one which I find particularly moving. Charlie Kirk spent much of his adult life on college campuses reaching out to remove the great divide between our republic and our youth. So, he will be memorialized by New College.
A bill, HB113, proposed by freshman Rep. Steele has been presented to Tallahassee calling for all Florida public colleges and universities in the state to rename an on-campus area (road, park, etc) in honor of Charlie Kirk. A financial penalty of loss of revenue from the state is attached to this bill. There is, as yet, no talk of additional sponsors, or work through committees. The bill faces strong opposition from ‘free speech” advocates and the Left, of course.
MIAMI-DADE County has chosen a section of a State Road 985, near Florida International University, to name in Charlie Kirk’s honor; therefore, legislative approval from Tallahassee is required. This is HB33. filed Sept. 23 by Rep. Juan Carlos Porras. Should it be passed, it will be effective July 1, 2026.
Others counties have rejected efforts to commemorate Kirk by renaming roadways or public buildings
ESCAMBIA County (most western county in Florida’s Panhandle) commissioners UNANIMOUSLY VOTED DOWN the renaming of a short stretch of N. 65th Ave., from Lillian Hwy to W. Fairfield Dr. in Kirk’s honor. This was after two hours of “contentious debate”. Many critics brought up the problem of naming a road in front of a high school known for previous racial tensions after a controversial figure perceived by many to be racially divisive. In 1976, a riot occurred between White and Black students over removing the name “Rebels” and the Confederate flag from the school.
It is difficult to realize that there are places that still have not made progress in ameliorating racial divide in the past fifty years.
BREVARD County proposed that Cypress Avenue (between Eau Gallie Boulevard and Orange Street) be named “Charlie Kirk Lane.” Melbourne City Council voted against it. They said that Kirk was not of their area, and they feared concerns about deterring business/residents, and community division. Wow.
Call this a stretch, which it probably is, but suddenly I can see some glimmer of how/why the 29-year-old who was just arrested for starting the Palisades Fire in CA in January, might possibly have fled to Melbourne, where he was arrested this week. Seemed so odd. I will share with you, up front, that I do not believe for a quick minute, that this sudden arrest puts the question of origin of those fires to rest. The Maui fires in 2023 (which didn’t burn buildings with blue roofs, btw) have been written off to downed power lines which were turned back on accidentally. There is much more to learn about both.
State Leadership of Florida has not yet proposed any kind of a memorial to Kirk. With as much connection as Charlie had to the state, I have to wonder why. It was quick and easy for Tallahassee to erect a few dozen “Sunshine State” road signs which bore the name of the Governor. Why not signs on I-4 or I-95 or the Turnpike??
The FL Democrat Party issued a statement of regret and condolence.
The Governor paused in his speech at a 9/11 remembrance in Palm Harbor, to briefly recognize Kirk’s accomplishments, to speak of Kirk’s close relationship to himself and the state, and against this type of violence. These were DeGov’s words of “regret and condolence”.
I think we expect more, Gov.
© 2025 Kat Stansell – All Rights Reserved
E-Mail Kat Stansell: katvanatt@protonmail.com
