Florida’s Lake County Commission has unanimously approved the designation of a section of roadway as “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway,” making it the first county in the nation to honor the late Turning Point USA founder with a road naming following his assassination.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced Thursday that the Lake County Commission approved the naming of a section of Wellness Way, stretching from U.S. 27 to the Orange County line, as “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.” The dedication marks the first local government decision to memorialize Kirk after his public assassination during a September 10 speaking event at Utah Valley University.
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Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini, who introduced the measure, celebrated the approval in a post of his own, quote-tweeting DeSantis: “Thank you @RonDeSantis Florida always leads the way in honoring great Americans.” Sabatini had earlier confirmed that the resolution passed 5–0, calling it “HUGE NEWS” and noting Lake County is “the 1st local government in the nation to name a road after the great @charliekirk11.”
The commission’s action followed a heated public debate, with many speakers objecting to the move and some arguing such honors should be reserved for fallen law enforcement officers. Sabatini clashed with one opponent during the session, but others in attendance expressed support for honoring Kirk.
Lake County’s decision comes amid broader efforts across Florida to memorialize the conservative activist. In Melbourne, city officials are considering renaming a portion of Cypress Avenue as “Charlie Kirk Lane.” That proposal drew added attention after a local business owner, Kaili Lamb, came under backlash for publicly celebrating Kirk’s assassination before later apologizing and deleting the comments. Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey has emphasized the renaming proposal is not about retaliation but about ensuring the city represents all residents.
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Separately, New College of Florida has unveiled plans to commission a privately funded statue of Kirk to stand on its campus. The design envisions Kirk at a table with an open seat, symbolizing his promotion of civil debate and free speech. New College President Richard Corcoran said Kirk “knew that universities are ground zero for free speech and the marketplace of ideas,” stressing that his life and death underscore the importance of preserving those values.
Other tributes have unfolded on the state and national level. The U.S. Senate, led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), unanimously passed a resolution establishing October 14, Kirk’s birthday, as a National Day of Remembrance. In the House, members voted 310–58 to pass a resolution honoring Kirk’s life, with dozens of Democrats voting against it.
Two Republican congressmen, Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX) and Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), are pursuing legislation to mint silver dollar coins bearing Kirk’s image, inscribed with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
At the grassroots level, Kirk’s assassination has driven what some call the “Charlie Kirk Effect.” Pastors and campus ministry leaders report rising faith commitments among young people, while Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet noted that interest in launching new chapters has more than doubled since Kirk’s memorial service, reaching over 120,000 inquiries nationwide. Millions streamed the service, which featured speakers focusing on Kirk’s Christian faith and mission.
The Florida Department of Education has also pledged to investigate educators who celebrated Kirk’s death online, with Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas warning such behavior could result in sanctions under state law. DeSantis denounced the remarks by educators, calling them unacceptable.
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