The Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway is likely coming to Boone County

Legislation that would rename a stretch of highway in Boone County after the late conservative influencer Charlie Kirk is currently sitting on the governor’s desk.

Although Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, could veto the legislation, it’s anticipated that the Republican supermajority in the Kentucky General Assembly would likely override the decision.

In January, GOP State Rep. TJ Roberts introduced House Joint Resolution 12 to rename a stretch of KY-18 in honor of Kirk. Roberts, who represents northwestern Boone County, was a public supporter of Kirk, describing the influencer as “the preeminent voice of a generation” within the resolution.

Roberts’ legislation calls for the redesignation of an over 11-mile section of KY-18, from its intersection with KY-338 at mile point 0 to the KY-237 underpass at mile point 11.776.

The specific stretch of roadway runs southwest through Burlington–the administrative seat of Boone County–into rural farmland, then continues into the small, unincorporated communities of Belleview and McVille along the Ohio River. These roads are state routes managed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and media figure, was assassinated on September 10, 2025. A single shot was fired from a distant rooftop, striking him in the neck during his “American Comeback Tour” speaking engagement at Utah Valley University. In addition to his viral college campus debates, Kirk founded the campus activist group Turning Point USA. NPR has called Kirk “arguably the most influential voice in young conservatism and played a pivotal role in President Trump’s return to the White House.”

In the days following the shooting, Roberts hosted a candlelight vigil at Burlington Commons, located at the corner of KY-18 and Jefferson Street, in memory of Kirk.

Roberts told LINK nky that part of the reason he selected the 11-mile stretch of road was because of its involvement with the vigil.

“The place where this road designation is, that’s where I hosted a vigil to honor Charlie, where over 1,000 people came together, united, specifically in condemning political violence and promoting free speech and civil discourse,” he said. “They prayed for this nation, and it is a fitting spot to have that designation.”

The current legislation on the governor’s desk is Senate Joint Resolution 139, originally introduced to rename part of a state highway in Jefferson County after the late police officer Peter Grignon of the Louisville Metro Police Department.

In March, the resolution was expanded beyond its original single designation of Officer Grignon into a broader “omnibus” resolution. At that stage, the legislation served as a vehicle for several highway namings, including the addition of the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” as Section 22 on the resolution. Roberts’ original resolution was officially absorbed into SJR139.

Basically, Section 22 was formally incorporated into the broader bridge and highway naming bill, which was intended to memorialize other notable figures, such as deceased police officers, military veterans, coaches and community leaders.

However, not every lawmaker was on board with the addition of the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” section. Democrat State Rep. Matt Lehman of Newport—the lone Democratic representative in Northern Kentucky—introduced Amendment 1, which called for the removal of Section 22 that referenced Kirk.

During a Kentucky House of Representatives legislative session on April 1, Lehman explained his reasoning, arguing that his proposed amendment was more about consistency in who Kentucky chooses to honor through renaming roads and bridges, rather than Charlie Kirk himself.

“My argument here is not about the content of what Mr. Kirk may or may not have talked about,” Lehman said. “It’s not a statement about how horrific his murder was, or his rights to speak as he did. I’d also like to note, we have a lot of Kentuckians, we have presidents—Zachary Taylor —has no honorary road naming in this state. We have a lot of high-profile, national figures that we have not made honorary highway or bridge namings for.”

Furthermore, Lehman questioned the need to dedicate a portion of state-owned infrastructure after Kirk, who was neither a native Kentuckian nor appeared to have any clear ties to the Bluegrass State. Kirk grew up in Arlington Heights, Ill., and was living in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the time of his death.

“Last year, I think all of us became aware of the brutal and unwarranted assassination of Mr. Charlie Kirk,” Lehman said. “I’d like to think I speak for all of us here that none of us condone any type of violence, and especially any type of political violence.  But the simple fact is that Mr. Kirk is not a Kentuckian. I was not really aware of who he was before this tragedy last September. I’ve learned since that time he appears to have been an engaging young man, engaging in his rights to free speech, trying to debate people on college campuses. He’s also quite controversial. Some of what he’s said was clearly divisive.” 

Lehman’s amendment was ultimately defeated in a 73 to 18 vote.

Roberts criticized Democrats who opposed his “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” effort in comments to LINK nky.

“Every Democrat in the legislature who was seated at the time, voted against a resolution that was designed to commemorate an assassination victim who was 31 years old and a father of two who was killed for speaking ideas that other people disagreed with, and that is an indictment of the party,” he said. “That is not an indictment of my resolution.”

In early 2025, Roberts proposed a resolution to rename a similar section of highway in rural Boone County after President Donald Trump, arguing the then-president-elect was worthy of recognition. Roberts has been a longtime supporter of Trump. Although the resolution generated media buzz, it failed to pass.