Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told Newsmax Tuesday that conservative leader Charlie Kirk has left a huge void in America's political discourse.
Johnson told "National Report" that he met Kirk when he was 19 and had just started Turning Point USA.
"Based on just how smart and intelligent and knowledgeable and articulate and accomplished he was back then, he had to be probably in his mid-20s," Johnson said. "I was actually shocked to realize he was only 31 years old. He was the epitome of what everybody in the political realm says we want."
"We want somebody who is willing to discuss the issues [and] tries to win an argument, not by raising their voice, but sharpening that argument. And unfortunately, we've lost him now. And now we are really starting to see what he leaves behind."
Johnson said since Kirk's fatal shooting in Utah, prayer vigils have been held throughout the country.
"Charlie Kirk's impact was like Charlie Kirk: extraordinary," added Johnson. "He was an extraordinary individual, and I think his impact is going to be very long lasting. I hope it is."
Johnson noted Kirk's last moments were spent doing exactly what he preached.
"He was engaging in civil discourse and discussion with people whose political views he didn't agree with," Johnson said. "He always felt you could see the humanity and the other person, and you could then avoid violence because of that. That's how he lived his life. That's why he lost his life. That is the very definition of a martyr. And what happens with martyrs is their message gets amplified over the days, the weeks, the months, the years, the decades, and the centuries."
"Charlie Kirk's influence is just going to grow, and I hope it does, because it was a very positive influence on our society," he said.
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Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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