Arizona is debating whether to create a permanent memorial to Charlie Kirk at its state capitol

The bill passed the Senate 16‑14 and the House Government Committee and now awaits a full House vote before going to Arizona Governor Hobbs, who recently vetoed a highway naming for Kirk
A bill which would create permanent memorials at Arizona’s state capitol honoring both conservative activist Charlie Kirk and late investigative reporter Don Bolles has sparked a debate among lawmakers.

The bill has already cleared major hurdles, passing the Senate in a narrow 16‑14 vote and winning approval from the House Government Committee.

It now awaits a final roll-call vote in the full House before heading to Governor Katie Hobbs for a decision, who Friday vetoed a proposal to name a highway in Arizona after Kirk.

Bolles, a reporter for The Arizona Republic, was killed in June 1976 while probing a suspicious land deal tied to organized crime.

In recent years, lawmakers have proposed memorials to honor Bolles’ work and sacrifice, but these efforts have repeatedly stalled.

The proposals never advanced out of Hoffman’s committee and did not receive a formal hearing, leaving Bolles without official recognition at the state capitol despite his historic significance in Arizona journalism.

The bill ties any memorial to Bolles to one for Kirk, Arizona’s Family reports
A memorial for Kirk has split lawmakers, however.

Hoffman has hailed Kirk as a defender of the First Amendment and civil rights, while State Rep.

Aaron Márquez, a Democrat, highlighted conservative thinker’s controversial comments on the Civil Rights Act.

“I did want to point out that Mr.

Kirk did call the civil rights act of 1960s, he said, ‘We made a huge mistake when we passed the civil rights act of the 1960s,’” State Rep.

Aaron Márquez of District 5 said in committee, AZ Family reports.

The fate of the Bolles memorial may ultimately rest with Hobbs, whose office declined to comment on the bill, according to AZ Family.

She has previously vetoed other Kirk‑related honors, including a specialty license plate , on the grounds that such measures can insert partisan politics into what should be nonpartisan government functions.

The governor previously called Kirk’s death “horrific” in a statement at the time of his death, saying in full, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

I am saddened for Charlie’s family, friends, and Arizonans as they mourn his loss, and I am saddened for our country as our politics have descended into horrific violence.

This tragedy is not about who Charlie Kirk supported politically.”
The Independent has contacted Hoffman, Márquez and Hobbs for comment.

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