For many young conservatives in Georgia, Charlie Kirk was a key figure of their childhood.

Chaston Adkins, a junior political science major at the University of Georgia and chair of the Georgia Association of College Republicans, said he remembers watching Kirk’s videos as a middle-schooler and being inspired to get more involved in the political process.

Adkins, a 20-year-old Dalton native, likened the loss to losing Fred Rogers, longtime TV host of the children’s show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

“He’s been someone who’s been there for half of our lives, pretty much,” Adkins said. “He’s been that constant political and cultural influence that’s just been there, and now that he’s gone, it’s a gut blow.”

Kirk, 31, was speaking Wednesday at an appearance at Utah Valley University ho

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