California House Democrats split on supporting resolution honoring Charlie Kirk
California Democrats were deeply divided Friday on whether to back a resolution honoring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as roughly half the party’s lawmakers backed the measure while half did not.
The measure was introduced by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana as a way to officially condemn political violence while also praising Kirk’s life and mission.
Of the 43 California Democrats, 21 backed the resolution, four were opposed, seven did not vote and 11 voted present, which means they participated in the vote but did not take a yes or no position. All nine Republicans in the state delegation voted yes.
Many Democrats were concerned that the language about Kirk, widely respected in conservative circles for his efforts at motivating younger voters to participate in the political system, went too far as casting him as a unifier.
Reps. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, and Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, were among those who voted present.
“I unequivocally condemn the assassination of Charlie Kirk and all forms of political violence. The strength of our nation rests on our ability to speak freely without fear and without the threat of violence,” Matsui said.
But, she added, “Instead of standing united, Republicans chose to push a resolution that deepens division. I will not lend legitimacy to that effort. “
Thompson commented that “Charlie Kirk’s assassination is a terrible tragedy and one I condemned the day it happened and continue to condemn. I will always speak out against political violence and hate in any form. My deepest condolences are with Charlie Kirk’s loved ones. However, there were provisions written into the resolution today of concern, so I chose to vote present.”
The yes votes
California lawmakers voting yes included Reps. Ami Bera, D-Sacramento, Adam Gray, D-Merced, Jim Costa, D-Fresno, Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove, Kevin Kiley, R-Roseville, David Valadao, R-Hanford and Doug LaMalfa, R-Chico.
Bera said he voted yes “out of respect to Erika Kirk (Charlie Kirk’s widow) and her family during this deeply painful time,” adding “In moments of loss, we must rise above partisanship and reaffirm a simple truth: Violence against anyone — Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative — has no place in our society.”
Gray noted that as a congressman and a state legislator, he’s voted on a lot of memorial resolutions.
“At the end of the day the purpose of those resolutions is to honor somebody’s life,” he said.
Republicans praised Kirk as a seminal figure. “Charlie was more than a political leader. He was a fighter for his beliefs, a mentor to young conservatives, and someone who never shied away from standing up for America’s values,” tweeted LaMalfa.
Details of the vote
The resolution passed 310 to 58. Overall, 95 Democrats voted yes, 58 voted no, 38 voted present and 22 did not vote. All Republicans voted yes.
The measure declares “leaders at every level — government, education, media, and beyond — must stand united in unequivocal condemnation of political violence, regardless of their ideology.”
It urged the Sept. 10 assassination of Kirk not be allowed to deepen divides in this country, “but instead serve as a turning point to recommit ourselves to better angels, and to the timeless American principles of liberty governed by truth and the virtues of peaceful dialogue.”
Where some Democrats expressed concern was in characterizations of Kirk.
The resolution praised the young conservative firebrand as a man who “boldly lived out his faith with conviction, courage and compassion,” and cited his “commitment to civil discussion and debate (which) stood as a model for young Americans across the political spectrum, and he worked tirelessly to promote unity without compromising on conviction.”
Thompson’s office said that “portions of this resolution lauded Mr. Kirk’s political views and described him as compassionate, truthful and respectful. While Rep. Thompson unequivocally condemns the assassination of Charlie Kirk and continues to speak out against political violence, these comments troubled him so he chose not to support the resolution.“
Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon, explained her present vote, saying she could not back a resolution that “under the guise of denouncing political violence, also amplified rhetoric that I know to be harmful, divisive and fuel the very extremism we see today.
Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Maryland, explained his no vote: “I stand against all forms of violence by sick, evil and demented people while at the same time rejecting Charlie Kirk’s selectively harmful and divisive rhetoric.”
This story was originally published September 19, 2025 at 10:42 AM with the headline "California House Democrats split on supporting resolution honoring Charlie Kirk."
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