U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan was among those who expressed his sadness over the shooting death of influential conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.
Buchanan and Kirk were not only close in political views, but in domestic proximity as well. Kirk was a resident of Longboat Key, a wealthy island in Sarasota County that contains an abundance of prominent conservative personalities and politicians such as Buchanan.
“Heartbreaking,” Buchanan said in a statement. “My heart goes out to Charlie’s wife, their young kids and everyone hurting from this tragedy. Charlie was a leader who engaged in politics the right way: face-to-face with those he disagreed with. Let his legacy stand strong against those who resort to violence.”
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while giving a speech on a college campus in Utah. Not only was he a well-known conservative voice who encouraged students and young people to become engaged in politics, he was also a strong ally of President Trump.
Kirk purchased a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo on Longboat Key for $855,000 in 2019, property records show. It is not known how much time he spent in Sarasota County. His primary residence reportedly was in Phoenix.
Kirk, originally from the Chicago area, had millions of listeners on the Charlie Kirk Show, which could be viewed on the social media platform Rumble.
Longboat Key is also the headquarters of Rumble, a conservative alternative to YouTube. Rumble came to Sarasota County in 2021 from Toronto, and Vice President JD Vance is a major investor.
Rumble’s platform has been utilized by Trump Media Group, the parent company of Truth Social. In 2022, Trump Media established its headquarters in Sarasota off N. Cattlemen Road.
Chris Pavlovski, Rumble’s founder, owns a home on Siesta Key, property records show.
Among other prominent conservative figures connected to Longboat Key are Julie Jenkins Fancelli, daughter of the founder of Publix who reportedly gave $650,000 to the organizers of the January 6 riots; former congresswoman Katherine Harris, who handled the Florida recount in the 2000 presidential election and was once named Longboat Key’s citizen of the year by the Kiwanis Club; and Kayleigh McEnany, the former spokesperson for President Trump and Fox News commentator who has a home on Fox Road, records show.
Longboat Key resident Kayleigh McEnany
Other local Republicans expressed their sorrow over Kirk’s death on Thursday.
Included was U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, who posted: “Charlie Kirk was a light in times of darkness and uncertainty, and his courage and faith left a lasting mark on so many. My heart breaks for Erika and his family as they mourn the loss of a husband, father, and son. I pray the Lord surrounds them with peace and comfort in this time of grief. We can honor Charlie’s memory by living with the same conviction he showed, refusing to cower before evil, speaking truth with courage, and standing firm in our faith.”
Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters of Sarasota said in a statement: “Charlie Kirk was a father, husband, and dedicated patriot who spent his life defending conservative values and inspiring young Americans. Our hearts break for his wife, children, loved ones, and countless supporters across the country.”
The Republican Party of Sarasota County also put out a statement that read in part: “He knew his calling and gave to it with all of his heart. And now he has paid the ultimate price for doing right.”
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Charlie Kirk among many prominent Republicans with Longboat Key ties