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The shocking death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk continued to spur strong reactions from political leaders in Texas on the right and the left on Thursday.

"Charlie's voice was a beacon for millions of young Americans searching for truth, courage, and conviction," Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. "This senseless act of violence has no place in America. Our prayers are with Charlie's family and his loved ones, especially the two young children he leaves behind. Texas stands with them in mourning and in honoring Charlie's enduring legacy."

Kirk was shot and killed during a campus visit at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Kirk is the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, which aims to push college students and young voters toward conservative viewpoints.

"Charlie was an American patriot, a friend, and a faithful husband and father," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote on X. "Join me in praying for Charlie's family and friends at this time. Words can not express how horrific this is to all of us."

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called Kirk a dear friend of many years. He said he was heartbroken and in disbelief at Kirk's death, which Patrick also called a murder.

"The outright hate against conservatives in this country by many in the political opposition and in the mainstream media must stop now," Patrick wrote on social media.

Texas state Sen. Cesar Blanco, a Democrat from El Paso who represents the area where an August 2019 deadly mass shooting targeting Hispanics took place at a Walmart, called the shooting "deeply disturbing."

"Violence in any form is unacceptable," he wrote on social media. "We should not and we cannot tolerate violence. My thoughts are with his family and all those impacted by this horrific shooting."

Much more on the political reactions here from Caroline Wilburn. Plus check out what some Texas religious leaders are saying about his death here via reporter Haajrah Gilani.

Jeremy Wallace, Texas politics reporter

jeremy.wallace@houstonchronicle.com

Who's Up, Who's Down

A daily stock market-style report on key players in Texas politics.

Up: Amy Klobuchar.

The U.S. Senator from Minnesota and one-time presidential candidate is coming back to Houston. She is scheduled to be the keynote speaker on Sept. 20 for the Harris County Democratic Party's annual fundraising gala. The dinner is also expected to include a tribute to the late Sylvester Turner, the former Houston mayor and congressman who died in March.

Down: Houston.

Houston has the highest poverty rate among the country's 10 most populous cities. About 21.2% of Houston's population lived below the poverty line last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday. That means more than 500,000 Houstonians made less than the federal poverty income threshold, which is $15,940 for one person and $32,130 for a household of four.

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What else I'm reading

Throughout Texas, communities paid tribute to the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 on the 24th anniversary of those attacks. One of my favorites is up in Lubbock where volunteers planted thousands of the flags to remember the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, plus the passengers who died on Flight 93 in a Pennsylvania field. More here from the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.