Manatee County Commission Unanimously Approves Naming Road After Charlie Kirk, Drawing Mixed Response
Manatee County Commissioners voted unanimously to designate a future segment of 51st Street West as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Road.” The proposal was introduced by Commissioner Jason Bearden, who described the designation as a statement about civic dialogue rather than a partisan act.
Bearden’s motion passed without dissent from his fellow commissioners. During the meeting, Commissioner Bob McCann voiced a desire for more public input before finalizing such a dedication, citing mixed feedback from constituents.
The decision has generated divergent reactions within the community. Some supporters view the naming as recognition of a figure influential in conservative political discourse. At the same time, critics argue that the choice overlooks Kirk’s controversial statements and that other local individuals may be more suitable honorees.
Elsewhere in Florida, Lake County commissioners recently approved renaming a section of Wellness Way as the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway. In Sarasota County, the commission moved to honor Kirk by dedicating a portion of Fruitville Road as the Charlie Kirk Memorial Road.
Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA and investor in the social media platform Rumble, was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The naming in Manatee County will apply to a planned extension of 51st Street West; the timeline and construction details have not been finalized.