New York (WRGB) — Assemblyman Chris Tague expressed shock and sorrow following the shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah. Tague said,

Words cannot describe the shock I feel upon hearing about the horrific shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah today. My heart aches for Charlie and his family. He was a dedicated family man and a passionate voice in our nation, I pray for Charlie’s family and our Republic during this deeply troubling time. Political violence is an affront to our values and must be condemned in the strongest terms. I will be joining millions of Americans across the nation in mourning the loss of Charlie.

New York State Senator Peter Oberacker also issued a statement on Kirk’s passing. Oberacker said,

I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk. My prayers are with his family, friends, and all those who mourn him today. No place in America should ever be touched by political violence. May God grant comfort and strength at this time.

The New York State Conservative Party released a statement saying,

A good man has died today. He and his family are in our prayers. An assassin’s bullet may have taken his physical presence away, but his thoughts, his philosophy, his hard work, and his love for our nation will carry on.

Angelo Santabarbara issued a statement addressing the political violence that claimed the life of Charlie Kirk, saying,

The political violence that took the life of Charlie Kirk is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that come when division turns to hatred. Violence has no place in our democracy. We must stand together in rejecting it and work toward a future built on respect, unity, and dialogue. I pray for comfort and strength for his family and all who are grieving this tragic loss.

Senator Jim Tedisco expressed his horror at the assassination of Turning Point USA Co-Founder and activist Charlie Kirk. In a Facebook post he said,

Horrified to learn of the assassination of Turning Point USA Co-Founder and activist Charlie Kirk. We are not going to solve any of our nation’s problems through violence and terrorism. That’s what the assassin who did this was attempting to do: silence the First Amendment rights of Freedom of Speech of someone he disagreed with. That’s not what America is all about! Tomorrow, we are commemorating the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attack on September 11th on our values of freedom, tolerance and democracy. There’s no difference between what the terrorists did on 9/11 and what the terrorist who killed Charlie Kirk did today! It must be extremely frustrating that the terrorists can never destroy the idea of freedom and liberty. That’s why we commemorate tomorrow because they may tear down buildings and kill innocent people, but they will never destroy the ideas contained in our constitution and bill of rights. These are inalienable and come from a higher power. We can disagree passionately about politics and culture, but we can’t allow our country to devolve into madness and violence. That’s never the way. We are better than that. Remember what Lincoln said: let’s listen to “the better angels of our nature.” My deepest prayers go out to Charlie Kirk’s family and many friends and supporters and to our nation for peace and healing.

Frank S. Salamone, Chairman of the Schenectady County Democratic Committee, emphasized the importance of resolving political differences through dialogue rather than violence. In a release, Salamone said,

The freedom of speech is a foundational principle upon which our Nation was founded. We must resolve our political differences by exercising that right. Violence is never the solution to political disagreement and all political violence must be denounced by everyone in all forums, regardless of the perpetrator.

Chairman Jay S. Jacobs issued a statement condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk, calling it “an attack on every value that Americans hold dear.” Jacobs emphasized the importance of free speech, stating,

The attack today on Charlie Kirk was an attack on every value that Americans hold dear. America is all about everyone’s right to say things others may disagree with and even not like to hear. This assassination of someone whose views I disagree with is about as un-American an act as can be perpetrated.

All Americans should pray for Charlie Kirk’s family as we all condemn this egregious act and any violence in our political process.

House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik mourned Kirk as “a vibrant, iconic, conservative titan,” In a statement, Stefanik said,

Hearts across America are heavy, broken, and outraged after today’s heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk.

We mourn the irreplaceable loss of Charlie as a vibrant, iconic, conservative titan. Our country knows Charlie as a loving father of two precious children and a dedicated husband with a huge heart and deep love for America. This passionate patriot inspired a generation of young Americans as he fearlessly and boldly promoted free speech, religious liberty, and morality. I first met Charlie over a decade ago at an event in the Midwest as he was beginning to build what would become TPUSA.

Such an extraordinarily impactful life, murderously cut short. Our deepest prayers and sympathy pours out to his wife Erika and their beautiful young children. May God Bless Charlie and may he rest in peace.

Assemblyman Matt Simpson also expressed his sorrow, calling Kirk a “passionate voice for our values and a tireless advocate for young Americans.” Simpson said,

Today, we mourn the loss of Charlie Kirk, a passionate voice for our values and a tireless advocate for young Americans. His energy and dedication inspired many, and his impact will not be forgotten.

My prayers are with his wife, Erika and their young children during this heartbreaking time. No words can ease their loss, but we stand with them and lift them up in our thoughts.

Political violence, no matter your political beliefs, is unacceptable and must be condemned. We must reject hate and work to protect our communities while continuing the important conversations Charlie cared so deeply about.

Governor Phil Scott issued a statement on the assassination, calling it a “heartbreaking” event that underscores the dangers of increasing polarization and political violence. Scott said,

The heartbreaking assassination of Charlie Kirk is a painful reminder, to all of us, of why increasing polarization is so dangerous and can lead to political violence. My thoughts are with Charlie’s wife Erika, children, family, colleagues, and friends during this difficult time.

Our country continues to become more fractured, more violent, and more partisan – and we should all feel a sense of a responsibility to change that.

There is no doubt, our nation is broken. But, we’ve experienced difficult situations before and have shown just how powerful our country is when we are united, listen to the perspectives of others, treat each other with respect, and rise above the dangerous rhetoric we’re seeing more often.

We must strive to find common ground, at the most basic human level, so we can engage in the free exchange of conflicting ideas and the open debate that we desperately need to solve problems and help people.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James expressed her condemnation of the shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah, calling it “horrific.” In a Facebook post, James said,

The shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah today is horrific. Political violence has no place in our country and everyone should reject it to the fullest.