Political leaders in Pennsylvania are expressing their outrage and concern following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University on September 11, 2025. Kirk, 31, co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was a prominent figure on college campuses, engaging in political discourse. His death has reignited discussions about the alarming rise of political violence in the United States.
According to research from the University of Maryland, the first half of 2025 witnessed approximately 150 politically motivated attacks, nearly double the number from the same period in 2024. The U.S. Capitol Police reported a significant increase in threat assessments, projecting to handle around 14,000 cases involving congressional members this year, up from 9,000 in 2024.
Dr. Kevan Yenerall, a political science professor at PennWest University, remarked, “We are in a bad place, and political violence is quantifiably on the increase.” He emphasized that Kirk’s murder is part of a broader trend of violence that spans the political spectrum. He urged leaders to promote reason and calm while denouncing all forms of political violence.
In a post on Facebook, state Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) called for unity and compassion. She stated, “We must choose unity, compassion, and peace over division and violence.” Bartolotta, who has faced threats herself, expressed deep concern for the current state of the nation and the impact of political violence.
Governor Josh Shapiro, whose home was set ablaze in April, condemned the attack on Kirk as “horrifying.” He asserted that political violence has no place in American society, emphasizing the need for moral clarity in these troubling times.
State Representative Jason Ortitay echoed these sentiments, stating, “We must stop hating one another over politics.” He cautioned that viewing the opposing side as evil undermines the foundation of the democratic republic.
In light of Kirk’s death, many lawmakers are reassessing their security measures. Bartolotta indicated that Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward has advised legislators to enhance their safety protocols, especially following the recent violent incidents involving public officials, including the shooting of former Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Cindy Fisher, a veteran member of the Cecil Township Board of Supervisors, noted a significant increase in hostility and vitriol over the past decade, attributing part of the problem to social media. Fisher revealed that she has experienced threats severe enough to necessitate police intervention and reflected on the toll that such hostility takes on public service.
Bartolotta shared her own experiences with threats, stating that the culture has deteriorated rapidly in recent years. “Social media plays a factor, where people can sit on a couch and be keyboard warriors, throwing out hate that is rewarded by others,” she remarked.
Diana Irey Vaughan, Executive Director and CEO of the City Mission, also voiced her concerns, noting that she received numerous threats during her last term as a Washington County commissioner. “We have seen a sharp decrease in civility post-COVID,” she said. “It’s sad to see how violent our community is becoming toward individuals who voice their political opinions.”
Dr. Yenerall emphasized the importance of reducing inflammatory political rhetoric and encouraged individuals to obtain facts from reliable news sources rather than social media. He warned that the prevalence of political violence could deter potential leaders from seeking public office, stating, “The political violence makes it difficult to get good leaders willing to serve in this capacity.”
As discussions on political violence continue, the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for dialogue and understanding in a deeply divided political landscape.
