Turning Point USA Mobilizes for JD Vance’s 2028 Campaign
Following the endorsement of Vice President JD Vance by newly appointed Turning Point USA (TPUSA) CEO Erika Kirk, the conservative nonprofit is gearing up to send representatives into critical battleground states. This shift is more than just showing support; it’s about laying the groundwork for Vance’s expected 2028 presidential campaign.
With a keen focus on the Iowa caucuses, TPUSA aims to elevate Vance’s visibility. This push comes shortly after Kirk’s endorsement during the recent “AmericaFest” event, where she expressed her commitment to Vance’s success.
“We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for ‘28 in the most resounding way possible,” Kirk declared at the event.
The late co-founder of TPUSA, Charlie Kirk, had a close relationship with Vance and played an influential role in Vance’s previous Senate campaign. Interestingly, Charlie had also pushed for Vance to be chosen as Trump’s running mate, despite Vance having previously criticized the former president.
TPUSA is now setting its sights on the Republican Party’s future by establishing a strong presence in key states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada, aiming to rally support for Vance nearly three years ahead of the next election.
Analysts suggest that gearing up early might be critical for the Republican Party to hold onto the White House in 2028.
“He’s the clear-cut leader by a lot. This isn’t highly competitive. He’s the vice president of the U.S.,” noted Tyler Bower, TPUSA’s COO. “We want to vocalize early that we are leading the recruiting and preparation effort in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada for JD.”
Bower also pointed out that the GOP is looking to resolve internal disputes now, rather than waiting until closer to the election.
“We’re rock solid. The right is hashing out policy disputes that usually surface right in the lead-up to a presidential election,” he commented. “We’re about two years ahead of schedule. Issues usually fought about heading into the 2028 convention were settled at AmericaFest.”
“The other side is a disaster,” Bower added, referring to the response from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s camp, particularly after a performance at the same event.
TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet mentioned that Charlie Kirk had effectively endorsed Vance long before this official announcement, indicating a clear direction for TPUSA in a post-Trump Republican landscape.
While Vance hasn’t officially declared his candidacy for president in 2028, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed continued support for him.
“If JD Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him,” Rubio stated recently.
As Vance emerges as a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, he faces the challenge of unifying various factions within the party. This challenge was evident during AmericaFest, where conservative commentator Ben Shapiro criticized some key leaders like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens for their recent actions.
Shapiro’s concerns center around accusations of antisemitism, suggesting that such issues threaten the integrity of the conservative movement. However, Kelly and Carlson defended themselves, asserting their critiques were aimed at specific Israeli policies, not at Jewish people in general.
“Ben is Israel first… And I’m sorry, but this behavior has proven that charge to be correct. Why would you divide the American conservative movement— which was forming a more cohesive front after Charlie died—over Israel?” Kelly asserted.
During Vance’s speech, he notably refrained from denouncing any conservatives, emphasizing that the party needs to focus on unity rather than infighting.
“I didn’t bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform,” Vance said. “Charlie invited all of us here for a reason, because he believed that each of us, all of us, had something worth saying, and he trusted all of you to make your own judgment.”
