Ohio Democratic candidate for Attorney General Elliot Forhan is under fire after posting controversial statements on social media following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In one post, Forhan wrote, “F*** Charlie Kirk,” just days after Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at a Utah university event.
The posts drew swift condemnation from both political leaders and the public.
Forhan doubled down in subsequent posts, asserting, “If you cannot call a bigot a bigot in America, then we do not have the free speech that he pretended to care about.”
He offered no evidence supporting claims of Kirk’s alleged bigotry and did not express condolences to Kirk’s family.
Social media reactions were immediate and harsh.
One commenter wrote, “How in the F can a potential AG glorify murder? What kind of justice could possibly be achieved with such an AG?”
Another stated, “An attorney general should be an advocate of law and order. This is entirely inappropriate.”
“Let’s make his comments about Charlie Kirk famous. No state representative should be celebrating his assassination,” another added.
Forhan also shared opinion pieces from The New York Times and The Nation calling Kirk a promoter of “tyranny” and labeling him an “unrepentant racist, transphobe, homophobe, and misogynist.”
Breitbart highlighted that California State Senator Scott Wiener echoed similar criticism, calling Kirk a “vile bigot” while adding that Kirk “did not deserve to die.”
Republican officials reacted strongly.
Attorney General Dave Yost said Forhan’s behavior was “petulant and undisciplined,” demonstrating unfitness for office.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose described the posts as “attention-seeking” and warned that this type of rhetoric is increasingly normalized among Democratic candidates.
RNC surrogate Mehek Cooke called on Forhan to drop out of the race.
“Ohio’s top law enforcement officer must act as a guardian of justice, not a cheerleader for violence,” she told Fox News.
“A man who celebrates murder cannot lecture anyone on fairness or equality. This is moral rot that cannot be tolerated.”
Forhan defended his posts, citing his First Amendment rights and criticizing what he described as Kirk’s harmful legacy.
“My thoughts and prayers remain with his family and loved ones,” he said, noting he had received thousands of hostile messages and portraying himself as standing with individuals he claims Kirk and the Trump administration targeted.
During his time in the Ohio House, Forhan faced multiple disputes with colleagues and constituents.
House Minority Leader Allison Russo accused him of “harassment, hostility, and intimidation of colleagues and staff,” which led to the loss of committee assignments and office privileges.
He was never charged but lost the Democratic primary for his seat and is pursuing a defamation lawsuit against Yost and other officials, according to State News.
Forhan joins a growing field of Democrats pursuing statewide office in Ohio. Dr. Amy Acton, who previously served as health director under Gov. Mike DeWine (R), is seeking the governor’s seat, while oncologist Bryan Hamley is running for secretary of state.
Amid the backlash over his social media activity, Forhan presents himself as a candidate focused on reform, arguing that state laws must apply equally to all residents, “including the rich and powerful.
