Gov. Hobbs vetoes bill to rename Loop 202 after Charlie Kirk

Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed legislation on Friday that would have named the entire Loop 202 freeway after Charlie Kirk.

Hobbs said in a veto letter that the measure would “insert politics into a function of government that should remain nonpartisan.”

Hobbs said the process of renaming highways should go through the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names, not through the state Legislature.

She previously vetoed legislation to create a specialty Arizona license plate in Kirk’s honor.

The Arizona-based conservative activist was assassinated last year while speaking at Utah Valley University.

In her letter, Hobbs called the assassination a tragic and horrifying act of violence.

Senate President Warren Petersen (R-Gilbert) accused Hobbs of being the one to inject partisanship into the matter.

“Charlie Kirk inspired millions of Americans to engage in their communities, speak freely and exercise their First Amendment rights. He built something that reached far beyond Arizona, and he brought that energy right here to our state,” Petersen said in a statement. “That kind of influence matters. Arizona has never required political agreement to recognize someone's contribution to public life. We've recognized impact, service, and people who've shaped conversations and encouraged others to participate.”

Petersen noted that the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway is already named in honor of late Democratic Congressman Ed Pastor, who helped secure the funding for it.

It was the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names that made that designation.