Kevin Steele

Kevin M. Steele (born 1970/1971) is an American businessman and politician. He served as a Republican member for the 55th district of the Florida House of Representatives.

Life and career Steele attended the University of South Florida. In November 2022, he defeated Charles Hacker in the general election, winning 77 percent of the votes. He resigned from the chamber in August 2026 while running for the Republican nomination in Florida's 14th congressional district.

Charlie Kirk roadway naming bill

In October 2025, Steele introduced House Bill 113 (HB 113), a proposal requiring each public university and Florida College System institution to rename one campus roadway in honor of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The bill specifies particular roadways at each campus—for example, *Stadium Road* at the University of Florida and *Chieftain Way* at Florida State University—to be renamed Charlie James Kirk Road. The measure directs that state funds be withheld from any institution that fails to complete the redesignation within 90 days of the law's effective date.

Steele said the bill was intended "to continue [Kirk's] legacy through generations of students that will attend our schools and will be faced with many differing ideas." The bill had not been enacted as of October 2025.

Legal and constitutional concerns Media coverage and commentators noted that the proposal could face constitutional scrutiny if enacted. Reporting by CBS News Miami and WUWF Public Media described potential issues related to free-speech protections and the autonomy of public universities.

Some legal analysts cited in press coverage suggested that conditioning state funding on compliance with the naming requirement could raise questions under the First Amendment and related doctrines that limit compelled expression by public institutions.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and other civil-liberties advocates were reported to have expressed concern that the measure could compel political speech by state entities.