Erika Kirk Signals TPUSA Backing for JD Vance While Prioritizing Midterms
Erika Kirk, now leading Turning Point USA, told Megyn Kelly the organization’s work to support a potential JD Vance 2028 bid is “in the works.” Her comment lands as the conservative movement watches who will carry the torch after 2024. The line sets a clear direction: TPUSA is preparing to be a player in national politics beyond campus activism.
Turning Point evolved from a campus-focused group to a major force in Republican youth outreach since Charlie Kirk co-founded it in 2012. That growth helped galvanize young voters behind Donald Trump in 2024, and it now offers real organizational muscle for future campaigns. Erika Kirk has signaled she intends to maintain and expand that reach.
Erika also said one of the last conversations with her late husband was about “how intentional he was about supporting JD for ’28.” That personal detail links the organization’s future choices to the strategy Charlie had been pursuing. It makes the prospect of TPUSA backing for Vance more than speculation; it’s part of a continuity plan.
For Republicans who care about movement cohesion, TPUSA’s tilt toward Vance matters. He’s often described inside MAGA circles as the likely successor to Trump’s political project, and Trump himself called Vance “most likely” the heir of his MAGA movement. That kind of recognition from the movement’s center gives TPUSA’s potential endorsement weight.
Erika Kirk emphasized TPUSA’s immediate focus, saying “Let’s start with the midterms before we start jumping to ’28.” The group plans to concentrate its ground game and youth engagement on the next election cycle where control of Congress hangs in the balance. That priority is politically smart and consistent with building long-term influence.
She added, “And let’s enjoy the fact that we do have Donald Trump in office, and we worked really hard to make that happen, my husband did.” Those words underscore TPUSA’s claim to a role in delivering victories for the movement. They also aim to keep the base energized while the organization scales up for future presidential politics.
TPUSA’s rise created an organizational pipeline that reaches campuses, local chapters, and digital audiences, which matters when a candidate needs volunteers, small-dollar donors, and a media-savvy base. With an explosion of new chapters after Charlie Kirk’s death, the group’s footprint widened quickly. That network can translate into early momentum for a 2028 run if leadership commits to it.
There’s also money and influence in the picture. The movement’s ties to tech capital and major donors have been a recurring theme, and figures who back Vance can steer strategy and resources. That blending of grassroots activism and donor power is shaping how future conservative candidacies will be organized.
Republican insiders note that Vance isn’t the only plausible contender, with other prominent GOP figures positioning for 2028. But a consolidated youth apparatus behind one candidate gives that person a distinct advantage in shaping narratives and recruiting activists on campuses. For the broader movement, unity behind infrastructure is as important as unity behind policy.
Erika Kirk says TPUSA will keep working to build voter enthusiasm and turnout at the local level ahead of any presidential talk. The group’s immediate push into midterms reflects a classic conservative strategy: secure the bases, win the map, then think big. That cadence matters if TPUSA plans to influence the presidential lane later.
Observers inside the movement will watch how quickly TPUSA formalizes support or stays informal while testing the field. Either way, the organization’s capacity to mobilize young voters, shape conservative messaging, and organize volunteers makes its preferences relevant to anyone eyeing a 2028 campaign. Conservatives who want a strong, disciplined youth operation will be paying attention every step of the way.