Overview

• Elliot Forhan wrote “F*** Charlie Kirk” on Facebook and called Kirk “a champion of tyranny” days after the conservative activist was assassinated at a Utah university.
• Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and Auditor Keith Faber denounced the posts, with Republicans urging Forhan to withdraw from the race.
• Forhan said he opposes violence, offered condolences to Kirk’s family, and argued his criticism of Kirk and his movement is protected speech.
• He shared articles critical of Kirk from The Nation, The New York Times, and The Guardian to underscore his position on Kirk’s legacy.
• Forhan said Libs of TikTok targeted his comments and that he received thousands of hostile messages, as other Ohio figures have faced scrutiny or consequences for similar posts.