All three Democratic candidates in the Michigan Senate race—Rep. Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow—have responded cautiously to Charlie Kirk’s recent assassination.
On September 20th, Abdul El-Sayed posted on X, acknowledging that while Kirk’s murder was “erroneous and unfair,” he noted that Kirk’s speeches were often filled with “xenophobia, hatred, inflammatory” rhetoric. At an event with Senator Bernie Sanders back in August, he remarked, “When they go low, we don’t get high. We take them into the mud and suffocate them.”
Rep. Haley Stevens also fortified her criticism in a recent campaign interview, saying, “His take is lewd.” It is noted that he has promoted racism, sexism, and hatred. Stevens faces challenges too, particularly related to her close ties with President Biden, her impressive voting record with him, and potential job threats linked to California’s electric vehicle initiatives that concern Michigan workers.
State Senator Mallory McMorrow tweeted on September 17th about Jimmy Kimmel’s comments on Kirk’s murder. “I believe a lot of what he said was mean and wrong, but Charlie Kirk had the right to say what he did. Kimmel had that right too. The Trump administration stifled free speech and laughed about it,” she insisted. McMorrow has also been linked to funding for groups aiding illegal immigrants and opposing public healthcare options, which could, some say, threaten rural hospitals across the state.
As discussions about political violence heat up, recent surveys indicate that 25% of Americans identifying as “very liberal” might justify violence for political aims, while only 17% of those who label themselves as “liberal” feel the same. In contrast, Republicans generally assert that violence is never acceptable.
Republicans are cautioning against narratives that paint political opponents as less than human. Mike Rogers, a former senator and current candidate for the Michigan Senate seat, condemned remarks made at an event in Howell, Michigan, where it was suggested that Kirk’s assassination was justified. “Charlie Kirk wasn’t killed for being a fascist. He was labeled a fascist to justify his murder,” Rogers stated on X.
Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment at the same Howell event, emphasizing the need for open dialogue after Kirk’s death. “The fundamental idea is that whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, we should be able to debate. Leaders from Turning Point USA shouldn’t lose their lives just because they face threats,” Vance remarked.
Kirk was fatally shot on September 10th during an event at Utah Valley University, part of his “Great American Comeback” tour. Authorities suspect that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old responsible for the shooting, had personal grievances against Kirk, saying he had “had enough” of Kirk’s “hatred.”
Since the assassination, Democrats and certain media figures have attributed blame to Kirk’s statements. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) retweeted a video labeling Kirk a “denunciable man,” prompting President Trump to call her a “nasty person.” Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) opposed a family resolution honoring Kirk, stating it targeted people of color. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) voted against the resolution, framing it as a partisan attack against Kirk’s alleged racism and anti-Semitism.
Former President Obama pointed a finger at Trump for creating a climate that led to Kirk’s assassination, claiming his presidency lacked “extreme views.” In separate remarks, Obama took aim at the FCC, challenging a false claim about Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension following his comments connecting Kirk’s assassin to supporters of MAGA.
Campaign staff for Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger in Virginia shared a post celebrating Kirk’s assassination with the phrase “Please look around,” while Spanberger herself faced backlash for encouraging supporters to channel anger into action. Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz has come under fire for remarks regarding political violence, with past comments urging Democrats to be “mean” and comparing the opposition to “Trump’s modern Gestapo.”
Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show saw interruptions when he refused to retract claims about Kirk’s assassin and has since continued without offering apologies.
