Guests - Rachel Keshel, Angel Barnett, Elijah Norton, Andy Biggs, Rick Shafton, Joanie Hammond, Arturo Del Ceuto, Gregg Gehringer

Remembering Charlie Kirk: A Voice for Freedom Silenced Too Soon

On the somber occasion of September 11, 2024, Win Tucson dedicated its broadcast to honoring Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, who was tragically killed in an apparent political assassination the previous day. Host Kathleen Winn assembled friends, colleagues, and admirers to reflect on Kirk's impact and legacy.

Rachel Keshel: Faith and Courage Personified

Arizona State Representative Rachel Keshel from LD17 joined the program, sharing her reflections on Charlie Kirk's unwavering faith. "The one thing about Charlie that was such an inspiration to so many was his very strong and resolute faith. He was not ashamed to speak about that," Keshel noted.

On August 29th, Kirk had encouraged his followers to "go tell somebody about Jesus that weekend," embodying his core values. Though Keshel wasn't extremely close to Kirk personally, she maintained connections with many who worked alongside him at Turning Point, like Tyler Boyer, Jake Hoffman, and Austin Smith.

"He was the epitome of grassroots here in Arizona. He was the pillar of what we were doing and what we were trying to do for our children and grandchildren," Keshel reflected. She emphasized how Kirk had positively influenced her teenagers. "God poured into Charlie Kirk, and Charlie Kirk poured into us, especially the next generation."

Keshel highlighted Kirk's remarkable knowledge and debate skills: "People would challenge his beliefs, and he just knew history and he knew the facts. He didn't do it with notes, he just knew. It's like God used him to speak truth."

The conversation turned to how Kirk helped restore respectful political discourse. Winn noted how political division has grown increasingly toxic, contrasting her own high school experience of friendly debates with friends holding opposing views to today's polarized climate. "Charlie Kirk used truth as his weapon, and he changed, look at this last election. He was so integral and the main one who got onto those college campuses, that was like ground zero."

Angel Barnett: The Merger of Faith and Civic Engagement

Angel Barnett from Dream City Church discussed how Kirk helped create "Freedom Night in America" at their church. The concept began when Pastor Luke Barnett approached Kirk about hosting conversations where "civics collide with biblical values."

"Charlie just went into this idea and ran with it. He says, 'I've got the contacts and you've got the venue. Let's do this together,'" Barnett recalled. The events became a powerful platform where faith and politics could intersect meaningfully.

Barnett shared that Senator Josh Hawley had posted that one of his most memorable moments was when Kirk invited him to Freedom Night in America at Dream City Church to share his faith. "It was a safe and poignant place to share our biblical faith."

Kirk's ability to challenge young men "to leave the home again and to not be afraid of traditionalism and being masculine" was something Barnett emphasized as a critical aspect of his messaging. "All of the things that our culture has imploded... men like Josh Hawley and Charlie will always stand in that gap."

Winn shared her personal memories of Kirk, including attending a reception after Kirk married his wife Erica. She recounted Kirk's story of their first meeting: "Halfway through the interview, he said, 'In my head, I didn't want to hire her. I wanted to marry her.'" Though their marriage was cut short, Winn noted, "The love story, although brief... the family that they built is a beautiful family."

Reflecting on the loss, Barnett observed, "He's a young man, but he lived the life of 10 men. We no longer get to ride on Charlie's wave, but we have to keep the wave going." She expressed hope that other young men would continue Kirk's legacy of traditional values and Christianity.

Elijah Norton: Continuing the Movement

Elijah Norton, running for Arizona state treasurer, shared his experience with Kirk: "He mobilized our generation. He was a very inspirational figure to a lot of people my age in Arizona."

Norton recounted how Kirk had encouraged him to run for Congress in 2022. "He truly believed in our movement, believed what we stood for. He stood up for what he believed was right."

Norton expressed his devastation at Kirk's assassination: "No matter who, no matter if someone disagrees with someone, that's no grounds to end a life so significant. He's a husband. He's a father."

The conversation turned to the international impact of Kirk's work, with Norton noting he had received messages from conservative contacts in the UK. "It's very devastating."

Norton emphasized that Kirk would want supporters to continue his mission: "Charlie would want everyone to obviously mourn him... but I think he would want us to pick up the mantle and continue what he did."

He highlighted Kirk's success in engaging young voters: "One of the amazing things that he has done with his outreach and just the tremendous growth in Turning Point is he has gotten the youngest generation, Generation Z—they actually helped Trump win in higher numbers. And that was a direct result of Charlie and Turning Point's actions."

Norton concluded with determination: "Our generation is going to continue with what he's done. He has an incredible staff at Turning Point. He's got incredible leadership... Whoever did this has to realize that all they've done is made our movement more emboldened."

Congressman Andy Biggs: A Legacy of Faith and Freedom

Congressman Andy Biggs joined the program, noting the personal connection through his daughter Miley who had worked for Turning Point. Biggs highlighted Kirk's priorities: "Charlie viewed his most important job was to be faithful to his religion, his belief in Jesus Christ, and also to his family—to be with Erica and the kids. And then the country and freedom."

Biggs emphasized Kirk's approach to debate: "He did not have malevolence in his heart. He had great love in his heart. But what he would do is he prepared immensely. He read a ton. He studied a lot... He would take all comers and just say, 'Look, I'm going to talk about facts.'"

The conversation turned to the disturbing reaction from some on the political left. "The left has been so ecstatic, quite frankly, that Charlie was [killed]," Biggs noted, calling such reactions "evil" and "satanic."

Winn contrasted this with the respectful response from conservatives when Democratic Representative Gabby Giffords was shot in 2011. "We were grieved. We didn't cheer. We didn't applaud."

Biggs also expressed disappointment over partisan reactions in Congress: "We moved from having a moment of silence to having a request for an oral prayer... And there was a certain cadre, certain group within the Democrats that were so vile and just loud."

He warned about escalating political violence, noting the assassination attempts against Donald Trump and the security concerns many public officials now face. "The rhetoric is so hot. And quite frankly, it has to be toned down."

Art Del Cueto: Personal Reflections and a Call for Justice

Art Del Cueto, border security advisor for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, shared his personal relationship with Kirk. "My first big event that I got the opportunity to speak at was a Turning Point [event]. Charlie Kirk came down to Tucson... I took him down on his first border tour."

Del Cueto expressed his grief and concern for Kirk's family: "I feel bad for his family, for these kids that have to grow up without a father." He called for justice: "I really hope that they find the person or all people responsible for this and they face serious, serious consequences. You killed the person for talking. You killed the person for debating a point of view."

Recalling conversations about security at events, Del Cueto shared a poignant memory: "I remember hanging out and telling Charlie, 'Charlie, this security is not that great.' And Charlie tells me, and this is the best way to describe him, he looked at me when I would complain about security and he said, 'God knows what he's doing.'"

Joni Hammond: A Legacy of Faith in Action

Joni Hammond of Holding Out Hope discussed a significant event where Kirk had helped her organization. "My pastor, Robert Furrow, had called me up... we were in the thick of fighting for Prop 139... and he said, 'Charlie Kirk called and wants to come to town and talk about the proposition.'"

Hammond was concerned about the cost, given her nonprofit status. "I said, 'Well, how much is he going to charge us?' And he said, 'I'll do it for free.'"

The event drew 2,400 people, helping to mobilize opposition to the proposition. Hammond reflected on Kirk's action-oriented approach: "You see all these cowards on social media saying all of this horrible stuff. But is that all they do? This man was out fighting. He was fighting for our nation. He was fighting for God."

Hammond, who lost her own father at age 12, expressed empathy for Kirk's children: "Whether you like Charlie or not, can we all at least have some compassion for them? These kids have lost their father."

Greg Gehringer: The Broadcasting Legacy

Greg Gehringer, KVO's production and program manager, discussed Kirk's radio presence. Kirk had taken over Dennis Prager's radio slot after Prager suffered a fall in his shower in November 2024.

"In early 2025 we started picking up Charlie when they started the show," Gehringer explained. He noted Kirk's connection to the Salem Radio Networks family and the devastation felt throughout the organization.

"The network is just devastated because they're kind of at the center of everything," Gehringer said, noting that Kirk had already expanded to about 800 radio stations. "There was so much excitement, there was momentum."

Gehringer highlighted Kirk's unique ability to "combine what was going on in the political world with his biblical values." He also shared a personal anecdote about Kirk's discipline: "He stopped caffeine. He was not doing caffeine at all. And I thought, he's got so much energy. And I was like, how is that possible?"

The conversation concluded with notes on the widespread impact of Kirk's death, including moments of silence from unlikely sources such as the New York Yankees, and a request from the San Francisco 49ers coach for the NFL to honor Kirk.

Winn closed with a reflection on Kirk's enduring impact: "His words are going to become timeless and they're going to mark a place. I'm so sad for Erica and those kids... I know he's fine. I know that Erica's faith is also strong, but there's the reality of it and then there's the living with it."