In the wake of the horrific political assassination of Charlie Kirk during an on-campus speaking last week in Utah, two young Alabama lawmakers took a step across party lines to call for civility amid the chaos.
State Rep. James Lomax, a Republican age 34, and State Rep. Jeremy Gray, a Democrat age 39, syndicated a joint statement on Monday morning, urging for a renewed understanding of what it means to disagree without hatred.
“As one of Alabama’s younger legislators, I believe our duty is not to add fuel to the fire, but to bring light through the smoke. Our nation has endured enough tragedy—and enough heated rhetoric piled on top of it. It’s time to cool the air. Here in Montgomery, most of what we pass isn’t partisan; it’s purposeful. It’s not about left or right—it’s about moving every community we serve forward and upward. We may disagree, but disagreement doesn’t make us enemies. It makes us neighbors with different views,” Gray (D-Opelika) said.
“Civility is not weakness; it is strength. It’s the muscle that keeps our democracy standing tall. If we fail to flex it, we risk tearing the very fabric that binds us. That’s why I choose to model respect and restraint—because in the end, it’s not about who shouts the loudest, but who stands tallest when the shouting stops. And I believe we can stand tall—together.”
Kirk, who was 31 at the time of his murder, was one of the nation’s leading figures in American public discourse.
From his teenage years he built Turning Point USA into a powerhouse youth movement, challenging what he viewed as liberal orthodoxy on college campuses, where he almost constantly visited. He was unapologetically pro-America, firm on the Constitution, and clear that free speech is of foundational importance to democracy.
Meanwhile, it is becoming increasingly clear that Kirk was killed for the beliefs he held.
“Political disagreement should never be settled with violence or in online echo chambers, but by people at the ballot box. Social media is not real life. It may feel satisfying to fire off a hot take, but it rarely changes hearts or minds,” Lomax (R-Huntsville) said.
“We don’t have to abandon our principles to elevate our tone. Today’s politics often rewards the most bombastic voices. Yet the leaders who listen carefully, act with dignity, and build trust are the ones who deliver lasting results. I’m looking in the mirror to see how I can do better. I applaud Representative Gray for doing the same and encourage other leaders to reflect on how they can be a light in a dark moment. Even small acts of respect can point us to a brighter tomorrow.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
