Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (D) recently vetoed a bill to rename Phoenix’s State Route 202, or Loop 202, in honor of slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
In a letter to Senate President Warren Peterson, a Republican, Hobbs wrote, “Charlie Kirk’s assassination is tragic and a horrifying act of violence. In America, we resolve our political differences at the ballot box. No matter who it targets, political violence puts us all in harm’s way and damages our sacred democratic institutions.”
“I will continue working toward solutions that bring people together, but this bill falls short of that standard by inserting politics into a function of government that should remain nonpartisan,” her statement continued. “Any renaming of a highway must follow the current process through the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names and not be circumvented by the Legislature.”
Peterson said Hobbs’ veto “broke with a long-standing Arizona tradition of recognizing impact over politics.”
“We’ve recognized impact, service, and people who’ve shaped conversations and encouraged others to participate. This veto makes it clear that standard has changed,” he added. “It tells people that recognition now depends on political alignment, not contribution. That’s not how Arizona has ever approached these decisions, and it’s a disappointing shift for our state.”
The highway, which was proposed to be renamed the Charlie Kirk Memorial Loop 202, would have required the name to be reflected on state records, documentation, and road signs. The loop is about 77 miles across the Phoenix metropolitan area and connects to Interstate 10 on both ends.
