Kirk Identifies Vance as Candidate to Connect with Young Conservatives in 2028
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, has highlighted Vice President JD Vance as a strong contender among young voters for the 2028 presidential race.
During an interview at the Turning Point Student Action Summit held recently in Tampa, Florida, Kirk expressed confidence that after Donald Trump’s term, Vance will emerge as a well-respected figure in the conservative movement.
“I think JD Vance fits that mold very well,” Kirk told Fox News Digital when asked who might lead young conservative voters in the upcoming election.
The organization’s goal is to inform and mobilize young individuals on conservative values.
“He can engage easily in a podcast setting,” he noted, complimenting Vance’s supportive family background.
Kirk remarked that at 40, Vance is one of the youngest vice presidents in American history, which, he believes, makes him relatable to younger Americans—though Kirk acknowledged that Vance hasn’t officially committed to a presidential run.
“He is pretty subtly the youngest vice president and probably the youngest in history,” Kirk stated.
In addition to supporting Vance, Kirk stressed that future conservative leaders need to tackle pressing issues like the rising cost of living, which concerns many young Americans.
“Aside from potential candidates, we need to connect with younger voters and ask, ‘What’s life like for you? Can you realistically own a home instead of renting indefinitely?'”
Kirk also cautioned that if the GOP fails to address financial challenges, they risk losing the young voter base that contributed to Trump’s 2024 victory.
“The biggest threat to the Republican Party in 2028 lies in whether we can keep our commitments,” he said. “Young voters didn’t just back Donald Trump; they played a crucial role in getting him elected.”
Kirk reiterated that future conservative leaders need to focus on important issues that resonate across generations.
“We have to reach out about immigration and managing the federal government’s size and cost,” he stated.
Describing himself as a “big JD guy,” Kirk characterized Vance as a suitable candidate for the conservative ideology, but emphasized that robust principles are essential regardless of who runs.
“I said, ‘Guys, if we don’t deliver, it doesn’t matter who’s going to run, because we have a big problem,'” he concluded.
