Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoes bill that would have created a license plate for the late Charlie Kirk

PHOENIX — Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday vetoed a bill that would have created a specialty license plate honoring Charlie Kirk and directed part of its proceeds to the organization he cofounded, Turning Point USA.

In her veto letter, Hobbs said that while Kirk’s assassination was tragic, Senate Bill 1439 wouldn’t have met her goal of bringing together people from across the political aisle.

“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,” Hobbs said.

Had Hobbs approved the bill, it would have created a specialty license plate that vehicle owners could purchase for $25.

Of that amount, $17 would have gone to Kirk’s far‑right advocacy group, which reported $85 million in revenue in 2024, according to ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. Meanwhile, the organization’s political activism arm, Turning Point Action, brought in $27.2 million that same year.

Why was there a bill to make a memorial license plate for Charlie Kirk?

Last year, Kirk was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University.

At the time, Hobbs ordered flags to be flown at half‑staff to honor his memory.

The man accused of killing Kirk, Tyler Robinson, is currently facing charges in connection with the Sept. 10, 2025, assassination.

In her veto letter, Hobbs said Kirk’s assassination was a “horrifying” act of violence.

“In America, we resolve our political differences at the ballot box,” Hobbs said. “No matter who it targets, political violence puts us all in harm’s way and damages our sacred democratic institutions.”

Republican leader slams Hobbs for vetoing Charlie Kirk bill

Her words rang hollow for Queen Creek Republican State Sen. Jake Hoffman, a close ally of Turning Point USA who sponsored the legislation.

“Hobbs’ grotesque partisanship knows no bounds,” Hoffman said in a Friday press release.

He described Kirk — who went on record questioning Black people’s qualifications and once called the Civil Rights Act of 1964 “a huge mistake” — as a worldwide proponent for civil rights.

“Even in the wake of a global civil rights leader — an Arizona resident and her own constituent — being assassinated in broad daylight for his defense of the First Amendment, Hobbs couldn’t find the human decency to put her far-left extremism aside simply to allow those who wish to honor him to do so,” Hoffman said.

He also called her a stain on Arizona’s history.

🚨Senator Hoffman Slams Hobbs’ “Partisan” Veto of Charlie Kirk License Plate Bill

Full press release: https://t.co/aImP28S9En@JakeHoffmanAZ pic.twitter.com/XZJ4Gw9con

— AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) March 7, 2026

“Hobbs’ veto sends a chilling message that honoring someone who championed free speech is unacceptable if their views do not align with her political ideology,” Hoffman added.

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