Oakdale City Councilmember – and Mayor Pro Tem – Christopher Smith has resigned following public backlash over comments he made on social media in regards to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk was was shot and killed during an appearance on the campus of Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

The comments in question were reposted by Smith on his private Facebook page.

His resignation was announced in a letter to the community from Oakdale Mayor Cherilyn Bairos, released Sept. 18, just a few days after concerns about his Facebook post were raised by some in attendance at the Sept. 15 Oakdale City Council meeting.

Mayor Bairos said Smith’s remarks were “widely viewed as disrespectful and not reflective of the standards I expect in public discourse.”

“While I fully support Mr. Smith’s right to free speech, as an elected official, his remarks crossed a line into inflammatory territory, which does not align with the values of our city leadership,” Bairos wrote.

The mayor stated that after “thorough, thoughtful, and constructive dialogue, and after much personal reflection,” Smith chose to step down from the council voluntarily. Bairos said both she and Smith agreed the decision was “in the best interest of Oakdale” to minimize disruption to city business.

Bairos also recognized Smith’s prior service, writing, “Beyond this incident, Christopher has served as a dedicated councilmember and a tireless advocate for our town. I thank him for his service and wish him the best in the future.”

In her closing, Bairos reaffirmed her commitment to the city: “Oakdale is a remarkable community; one I am honored to serve. As your mayor, I remain fully committed to supporting each and every one of you, and I am proud of the resilient and caring city we continue to build together.”

Smith has not issued a public statement regarding his resignation.

The City of Oakdale has not yet released details on how Councilmember Smith’s vacant seat will be filled; the term runs through 2026. The Leader will provide updates as more information becomes available.