A memorial for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk will attract conservative leaders to the Florida county where he owned a home.
The Republican Party of Sarasota will host the memorial at Robarts Arena on Oct. 18 at 11 a.m.
High-profile speakers include Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power and Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski.
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, plans to address the crowd as well, as does state Sen. Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican in line to become Senate President. State Reps. James Buchanan and Fiona McFarland, both Sarasota County Republicans, will also speak, as will Republican National Committeewoman Kathleen King.
“We know the incredible importance of Charlie to the shift in young Americans toward traditional American, Christian conservatism,” said Republican Party of Sarasota County Chair Jack Brill.
“As he had a home on Longboat Key, we felt it was important to honor his life and legacy here in Sarasota, and do what we can to support and encourage the movement he launched.”
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, purchased a condominium unit at Longboat Key Club in 2019.
The county notably became a haven for many conservative leaders around the same time. Rumble announced it would move its headquarters to Longboat Key in 2021, a year before Truth Social made Sarasota County its corporate home.
Two members of Florida’s congressional delegation live in Sarasota County, including U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican and Vice Chair of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. National Republican Committee Chair Joe Gruters also hails from the county. And Michael Flynn, a former National Security Adviser to President Donald Trump who has become a voice in right-wing politics, now operates from south Sarasota County.
Kirk died at age 31 after being shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
