“Terrible act of political violence”: Wisconsin political leaders condemn murder of Charlie Kirk

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – The nation is dealing with the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA.

Turning Point USA was key in expanding voter outreach, including in Wisconsin. Kirk had close ties to federal Republicans. 

In September of 2024, he came to the UW-Madison campus to register students to vote. He also spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last summer, and visited Oconomowoc in March 2025 while campaigning for conservative Brad Schimel, who lost his Wisconsin Supreme Court bid to now-Justice Susan Crawford.

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered flags to fly at half-staff Sunday, Sept. 14 for Kirk. He did not issue the same order for U.S. Rep Melissa Hortman and her husband when they were gunned down in their Minnesota home. 

Wisconsin Speaker Robin Vos was asked about that at a press conference Thursday, previewing the Assembly’s floor session.

In the heart of every patriotic American, we would say that no matter who is assassinated, on the far right, the far left, man, woman, rich, poor, gay, straight, it doesn’t matter. Assassination is 100% of the time wrong. It’s what I thought when Melissa Hortman, who was clearly a liberal democrat, I didn’t hear anybody on the right celebrating that she was assassinated. It was awful.

Democrats also offered their condolences and condemned political violence. At a press conference where Democrats unveiled education bills, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer disavowed the assassination.

I, too, want to acknowledge the terrible act of political violence that happened yesterday at Utah Valley University. This was another senseless act of political violence, and unfortunately against Charlie Kirk. I want to extend my deepest condolences to his loved ones. We all condemn political violence in the strongest possible terms. No one should fear for their lives because of their jobs.

They join dozens of Wisconsin leaders in condemning Kirk’s murder.

Leaders on both sides of the aisle said they’re continuing to have conversations about keeping lawmakers safe.