‘We must not fear and we must not cower’

Today on September 10th, 2025, our country experienced a tragic and massive loss. Founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, was killed at the hands of a deranged murderer during what was supposed to be the first of many visits to American college campuses for the American Comeback Tour.

To the horrific sight of everyone in attendance and to everyone who has seen the video footage of the shooting, there will forever be a dark impression stamped on everyone’s memory. The killer didn’t just silence a voice of political dissent but took away the father of two young children and has created a grieving widow out of a loving, young wife.

The Clark County Republican Party condemns the violent and murderous attack on Charlie Kirk. It was not just an attack on him but on free speech and public discourse. Charlie created a platform and culture of healthy debate, where adversarial views were not only tolerated but encouraged. He gave a platform for all ideas to be tested and challenged – without the threat of violence. He often would calm crowds down who were booing and attempting to drown out someone on the microphone who was debating him. He consistently extended love and a message of hope and life in Christ. He welcomed all contrasting minds to be a part of his events. Throughout the entirety of his mission with Turning Point USA, he was threatened with violence but had never encountered anyone attempting to take his life.

Today, someone put action with their hateful desire to murder a man – a good man – who to them, committed the unforgivable crime of voicing his opinion in a peaceful and respectful way that was different from theirs.

His wife Erika and their two young children are now left in shambles. Hours before his assassination, she posted a scripture from Psalms.

“Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,”

More than ever, she will need God to be her strength and refuge. We must join millions of others in prayer over his family that are left behind. TPUSA will need prayer and help as they transition their organization without their founder and fearless leader.

What must we do? It’s hard sometimes to know what to do exactly. So, I’d like to suggest what we SHOULDN’T do. We should not back down. We should not stop speaking the truth. We should not stop engaging in the political process. We should not allow this death, this martyr to go in vain. We must not fear and we must not cower.

God bless you all. May His peace and strength cover us all.

Matthew Bumala, chairman
Clark County Republican Party