Skip to main content
Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

This story is exclusive to subscribers.

Free Press Opinion: Legislature will entertain, among other things, the battle of the Kirk memorials

AP File Photo/Alex Goodlet / An attendee holds a poster of Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA rally at Utah State University, as part of the organization's push to memorialize Kirk on Sept. 30, 2025, in Logan, Utah.
AP File Photo/Alex Goodlet / An attendee holds a poster of Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA rally at Utah State University, as part of the organization's push to memorialize Kirk on Sept. 30, 2025, in Logan, Utah. AP File Photo/Alex Goodlet / An attendee holds a poster of Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA rally at Utah State University, as part of the organization's push to memorialize Kirk on Sept. 30, 2025, in Logan, Utah.

Expect to hear the name of Charlie Kirk come up frequently in the Tennessee General Assembly, which starts its 2026 session today.

The conservative political activist and media personality who was assassinated in September is the subject of several bills filed or about to be filed for consideration.

(IN THE NEWS: Immigration, private school tuition, criminal justice top of mind as Tennessee legislature set to return)

The fact that Kirk was murdered when the legislature was not in session has caused several legislators to rush to be the first to honor him or craft favored legislation in his name.

Whether the Republican supermajority will heave to pass all things honoring the activist, combine them into one bill or assign them to the fringes of the session remains to be seen.