March 4th, 2026

PHOENIX – Arizona Democratic Party Chair Charlene Fernandez penned the following opinion piece to voice her opposition to renaming SR-202 after Charlie Kirk and paving over the legacy of former Congressman Ed Pastor and U.S. Army Specialist Lori Piestewa:

“In Arizona, the names we place on our public spaces tell a story about who we are, and who we aspire to be.

I was inspired to get into public service – to serve my community and run for office – because of former Arizona Congressman Ed Pastor.

Ed started his career as a teacher and spent decades in the classroom helping students and making his community better before ever seeking public office. He never sought fame, and he certainly never tried to divide.  As the first Latino elected to Congress from Arizona, Pastor broke down barriers to ensure that our elected representatives better reflect the state we all know and love. 

That is why it is so troubling to see proposals to rename the Loop 202 in Maricopa County after Charlie Kirk, and replacing the names of Pastor and Lori Piestewa from one of the Valley’s major highways.

The Loop 202 currently honors two Arizonans whose lives reflect service, sacrifice, and unity.

Lori Piestewa, a Hopi soldier from Tuba City, was the first Native American woman killed in combat while serving in the U.S. military. She gave her life in Iraq. The stretch of highway that bears her name is not political. It is a recognition of sacrifice and to pay honor to her and the Native communities that have shaped Arizona long before it was a state.

Ed Pastor’s name on the highway represents decades of steady public service and a commitment to bringing people together across lines of race, geography, and party. 

The men and women we choose to venerate in this country must reflect our best values.

Charlie Kirk’s death was an unspeakable tragedy. I grieve for his wife and children. 

Charlie, on the other hand, was a political activist known for being a divisive figure, known for inflammatory rhetoric. He even said the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which sought to end discrimination in public places, was a mistake and made hateful comments about race and sexuality. Valorizing him while removing Pastor’s name and Piestewa’s name would erase and diminish the legacy of two Arizonans who understood the nature of service and sacrifice.  

Arizona is strongest when we lift up examples of courage, humility, and dedication to community. Pastor and Piestewa represent those ideals. Charlie Kirk does not.”