Keshel Condems Dem Rhetoric as Fontes Claims Rising Fascism

Despite Arizona’s top Democratic officials, including Governor Hobbs, Tucson Mayor Romero, and AG Mayes, among others, issuing statements condemning political violence in the aftermath of the conservative leader Charlie Kirk’s assassination, some Republicans have argued their words were hollow and politicized. Part of the rhetoric that Republicans claim is fueling division is one that flew under the radar from Democrat Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

Fontes initially called Kirk’s shooting “terrible and disturbing,” stating that “this cannot be who we are.” But days later, during a meeting of the Arizona Democratic Party, he struck a different tone, urging members not to give in to the growing despair as the AZDEM party sinks in popularity and funding, and to “push back against rising fascism.” The latter comments were aired in a public social media post by reporter Mary Jo Pitzl.

Republicans have criticized such inflammatory language as being part of the problem that contributed to a toxic political climate, leading to Kirk’s death.

Governor Katie Hobbs said she was “deeply saddened by the news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” describing it as a devastating loss for his family, friends, and the state. He added that the tragedy was not about politics but about the loss of a father and neighbor whose life was cut short by senseless violence, while also noting that America’s politics have descended into “horrific violence.” Critics argued her words came across as distant and avoided directly addressing Kirk’s conservative legacy.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero expressed horror at the shooting, but quickly shifted to national statistics. He noted that Kirk’s assassination was the forty-seventh “school” shooting in the country this year, and referenced another shooting the same day in Colorado. Gun violence doesn’t care about ideology,” Romero said as she pressed for federal gun safety reform, adding that political violence has no place in the country. Conservatives criticized the timing of her policy pitch in the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s death. It was also noted that she failed to address Charlie Kirk by name.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that his office and the U.S. Secret Service are jointly investigating social media posts made by Deputy Ramon Hernandez after the assassination. Hernandez allegedly made inflammatory remarks celebrating Kirk’s death, along with anti-Israel comments, calls for revolution, and even a call for former President Donald Trump to be hanged. Nanos said the department was alerted by citizens and that officials are “very much concerned” about the matter.

Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a brief statement saying, “Political violence is never the answer.   strongly condemn the horrific act of violence against Charlie Kirk. e may not all agree in this country, but our ability to freely share and discuss our political beliefs is what makes us American.” However, she quickly disabled comments on the post, a move critics claimed telegraphed her unwillingness to face public accountability.

Arizona State Representative Rachel Keshel (R-17) not only condemned Democrats who mocked Kirk’s death but also rebuked Republicans who offered what she saw as hollow or perfunctory responses. Calling the assassination “a heinous political assassination that has left his beautiful wife and young children without a husband and father,” Keshel derided the reactions of some public officials as “shameful.” She singled out Tucson City Councilwoman Lane Santa Cruz and her staffer, Benny Gomez, for allegedly mocking Kirk online.

But Keshel also warned that Republicans must stop issuing safe, generic statements and instead show moral clarity. Those who justify or celebrate Charlie Kirk’s murder cross a red line,” she stated. Inciting violence is not free speech, and pretending otherwise only emboldens more violence.” Keshel’s challenge was directed at both sides of the political aisle: Democrats for normalizing rhetoric that demonizes conservatives, and Republicans for failing to call it out forcefully.

While some Democratic leaders condemned political violence in some form, their responses were often deemed perfunctory and generic, with many marked by political overtones, abrupt pivots, and limited public engagement.