BRADENTON — Manatee County Commissioners appear to be on the path to making Manatee County the second Florida community to officially honor the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk through the naming of a local roadway.
The agenda item, number 57, was added by At-large Commissioner Jason Bearden.
The commissioner opened his proposal by stating, “We are talking about a man (Charlie Kirk) who will be in our history books, such as people like Martin Luther King Jr.”
Bearden highlighted that other Florida counties are also considering renaming county or city roads in honor of Kirk since his assassination last month. Lake County officials have already approved a similar measure.
“We aren’t just deciding on a name for a stretch of pavement, we are deciding what kind of story this community wants to tell about itself,” Bearden said.
Bearden stressed that his proposal was “not about politics,” but rather about “people,” and about “recognizing someone who spent his life encouraging open dialogue.” He argued that Kirk’s work involved bringing people with “different beliefs” into the same room to discuss them.
“This isn’t about endorsing every viewpoint that someone may hold; it’s about endorsing the freedom to speak,” he added.
Bearden said the act of naming a county roadway after Kirk would send a “community message.”
“By naming a road after Charlie Kirk, we are not making a partisan statement; we are making a Manatee County statement that dialogue is alive here, that our community chooses unity, chooses conversation, and chooses to stay connected even when it's hard,” Bearden explained, adding that Manatee County needs “open dialogue as opposed to division.”
Following his opening remarks, Bearden suggested several potential roadway candidates for a name change to “Charlie Kirk Boulevard,” including Mocossain Wallow Road, Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Upper Manatee Road, or 75th Street.
Commissioner Amanda Ballard readily offered her support for Bearden’s proposal, stating that she believed Kirk “stood for something important in our community and throughout our country.”
Ballard also pointed to Kirk’s purchase of a condo on Longboat Key as a direct “connection” to Manatee County, a point later clarified by Commissioner Bob McCann, who correctly pointed out the condo was located within Sarasota County’s borders.
Commissioner Mike Rahn also spoke favorably of the proposal.
Other commissioners, although not objecting to the premise, suggested that some care should be taken to ensure the appropriate process is followed in approving such a significant measure, one that affords a fair opportunity for members of the public to weigh in.
Commission Chair George Kruse also pointed out that the item, as placed on the meeting agenda by Bearden, did not include advertising an anticipated action of the board, or vote, but rather a “discussion” of the proposal.
In addition, according to Kruse, renaming a major roadway, even one owned by a county, is not a simple or minor change. Commissioner Tal Siddique pointed out the potential high cost of such an action, as evidenced by the cost estimate of tens of millions of dollars associated with Senator Joe Gruters’ proposal to rename a portion of US 41 to “Gulf of America Boulevard.”
Kruse suggested Bearden consider, instead of taking action to change an existing major roadway’s name, the board should instead vote on establishing a “memorial roadway” as the county had done in other instances, such as in 2020 when the board named a portion of 44th Avenue in eastern county after former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano.
“I’ll support the motion to get started,” said Kruse. “I would just want to make sure that we are aware that we are renaming roads for the entirety of the community… and people may have comments, and we should include the public in this process.”
Commissioner Bob McCann echoed much of the sentiment offered by Kruse.
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do here,” said McCann to Bearden, “There are many people here in Manatee County that should be involved in this process. What we need to do, I think, is hold off on making any motions or decisions until we have sought the consensus of the people in the county… I think that’s very important.”
McCann highlighted that a handful of citizens had submitted written public comments on Bearden’s agenda item ahead of the meeting. Two of those comments were strongly opposed, one was strongly in support, and the fourth suggested that the board consider naming roadways to honor local “Manatee County military heroes.”
Commissioner Siddique agreed with the importance of engaging the public on the decision before the board solidified any roadway changes, and agreed that a memorial highway designation might be the most appropriate option. He proposed that the board consider the planned 51st Street expansion in his District 3 as a possible option.
Bearden, who clarified that his intended motion was to have the board vote on the approval of renaming an existing road—whichever road the board identified and agreed to during the meeting—as “Charlie Kirk Boulevard,” compromised after hearing from his colleagues, and amended his motion.
By the end of the board discussion, a final motion was made to direct staff to work with the county attorney to prepare a resolution naming a memorial highway after Charlie Kirk on the future 51st Street segment from 53rd Avenue to the El Conquistador Parkway expansion.
The county’s 51st Street expansion project is planned to improve transportation and support economic development in the Southwest District by designing a future four-lane roadway between 21st Avenue West and Cortez Road.
The motion passed unanimously, and the drafted resolution will be returned to the commissioners for final adoption at a future meeting, date to be determined.
To replay the Charlie Kirk memorial agenda item discussion and action from the October 7, 2025, BOCC meeting, click the video below.
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RobertY1
Charlie Kirk was no hero to the millions of people he hated and regularly vilified. He is being glorified for indoctrinating young people in his hateful world view. By naming a road or anything else after him we are saying that, in Manatee County, we celebrate hate, violence and misogyny. Please consider naming a roadway after someone we can all admire.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
lib224
Some commissioners have shown some sense on local issues, but they continue to bark up the MAGA tree. Sad that they don't realize that the corruption runs from top to bottom in the Republican Party.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
Cat L
CK was not a person who spent "his life encouraging open dialogue.” He literally organized phone banks of bullies to drive professors out of their jobs. He particularly focused on women and minorities.
He was an agent of Christian indoctrination, for the people complaining most about indoctrination. (Look at New College)
They tell on themselves in what they complain about.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
pattybeenutty
CK was in no way a Martin Luther King, Jr. or even a Billy Graham.
He was another MAGA bully who berated people about their beliefs. He was not teaching the beliefs of Jesus.
His indoctrination of young people was disgusting, and the voices of his organization were just of a money-making organization.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
terridavis17
As a person who had never heard of this person until he was shot and killed, I had to research him to understand who he was, and his beliefs. In all of the videos I watched this man did not encourage open dialogue. He in no shape or form should be compared to MLK, JR. He talked over any young person who disagreed with him. He spewed racist remarks, us d hate speech about anyone who was not an white Christian male born in the U.S. To name anything after him, is just wrong. He was a racist and in my opinion a person who wanted to make and keep his money at the expense of others. There are many people alive and dead in our community who actually did promote open dialogue and bringing people with different beliefs together, why not name a memorial highway after them. What is even more strange, in watching these videos, there are Commissioners that he would not support, as they are not white male christians. Watch his videos, then let’s discuss naming highways, or creating memorials after this racist white male.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
Dave
Mr. Kirk was divisive, by no means a uniter. Naming a road after him or creating a "memorial highway" is absolutely a partisan statement, contrary to Commissioner Bearden's assertion. The commission should stick to maintaining the county's infrastructure for the benefit of all residents and stay out of the red/blue wars.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
GoldenGopher
Removing all artwork and uplifting messages from coloring payment sent a message also. It is just the opposite of what Bearden says his proposal to name a road for Kirk does.
Comparing Kirk to MLK is a travesty.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
David Daniels
First off, we ALL AGREE that Kirk's murder was despicable. A tragedy. His murderer should be punished to the maximum - which is the death penalty. And it should happen quickly.... But whether we, as an entire community, should honor Mr. Kirk for what he did and said in life is a completely different, and divisive subject. We are just getting to the point where the temperature is starting to come down since his horrific, sick assassination. From Bearden's comments, I don't think he has read some of the things Kirk has said. I won't list any here, but one need only google "Charlie Kirk's controversial statements" or "Charlie Kirk's own words on race." Just because Mr. Kirk said those things openly and invited people to argue with his statements does not put what he said on a higher moral plane. I put this idea on the same level as the confederate monuments. We should all be coming together against SB180, Pat Neal and Carlos Beruff and not go down this divisive path.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
jimandlope
Jason Beardon compares Charlie Kirk to Dr. Martin Luther king? This is an idiotic statement in that Dr. King stood for peace, human dignity and above all equal rights. Charlie Kirk peached the opposite. Much continues to be said of Mr. Kirk’s belief in free speech and dialogue when in fact the man preached his free speech as opposed to everyone who didn’t agree with him. This man did nothing to warrant a road named after him and finally, doesn’t our Manatee board have better, more important issues to deal with?
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
writerlynn9717
I guess they don’t remember how 3 commissioners were gone after these right-wing agenda issues like the environment because voters voted them out. If the commissioners continue down this route, they will be next to be voted out. Kirk should not be compared to any hero, because he created divisiveness among citizens, promoted bigotry, and is unknown and unliked by the majority. They should use some intelligence when they pick people to honor and name roads and schools after, someone everyone can look up to, not just MAGA. Wouldn’t be surprised if putting such a memorial up, it will be vandalized. Just creating dissension in our county. Not worth the trouble or money spent. I agree to pick some veteran, an educator, a person who works to improve lives for all citizens despite political preference.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
san.gander
Put up a sign for "Captain James T. Kirk", Charlie Kirk no!
A sign to honor Charlie Kirk - divisive! Example: we should not have a statue to honor Robert E, Lee. He was once an honorable General of the United States Army and served the flag of that country well. But, he turned his back on that flag! Lee, for a certain a "divisive" figure, much like Benedict Arnold! Charlie Kirk is in that grey area, a hero to some, anathema to others who found his values un-American!
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
nmtruax
I can't understand why Kirk would be honored here in Manatee County in the first place. His assassination was indeed tragic (we have deplorable losses of life to guns every single day in this nation), but this man was an extremely divisive individual who represented MAGA's themes of racism, misogyny, and vengeance. Comparing him to MLK is absolutely preposterous. No, Kirk was not a hero, and he didn't fight for the rights of ALL citizens whatsoever.
How about choosing a VETERAN from Manatee County who has served his/her country proudly; or choose one of the excellent teachers who have helped so many students who have challenging issues; or how about one of the many outstanding first responders? There are countless "heroes" in Manatee County who truly deserve recognition from their fellow citizens.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
Donnamaria
It was 'suggested that some care should be taken to ensure the appropriate process is followed in approving such a significant measure, one that affords a fair opportunity for members of the public to weigh in'. More than 'some care' is needed. A fair opportunity for members of the public to weigh in is essential. Personally, I disagree that this individual should be memorialized within in our county. My reasons are too numerous to state here. Public opinion concerning this 'significant measure' should be aired in a public meeting. Contact County Commissioners today.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
kmskepton
Please excuse my crass response, but I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Thursday, October 9 Report this
susieb.copeland
Why would our commissioners want to name a portion of our roads after Kirk? While our prayers and thoughts go out to his family for their tragic loss, there are so many worthy people from Manatee County who deserve this honor. Those individuals who have made significant impact in Manatee County. The community is divided on the principles Kirk stood upon which were very divisive and riddled with racist comments based on ones color of skin or those who are different all behind the curtain of Christianity.
Friday, October 10 Report this