A leading figure in the conservative grassroots movement publicly threw her support behind Vice President JD Vance as a future presidential contender, offering one of the clearest signals yet that parts of the Republican coalition are already organizing for the 2028 race.
Speaking at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Erika Kirk pledged to mobilize activists nationwide to secure what she described as a decisive Republican victory in the next presidential cycle. The endorsement came despite Vance not having declared his intention to seek the presidency.
Kirk told the crowd she intended to help deliver Vance to the White House "in the most resounding way possible," framing the effort as an extension of the political movement built by her late husband, Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA.
Her appearance at the Phoenix Convention Center was both a political moment and a personal one. Kirk addressed the audience amid technical issues that forced her to improvise, using the setback to engage directly with supporters and emphasize the scope of the gathering.
"All 50 states represented," she said. "We have 25 countries represented, plus Puerto Rico. But I have the list here. Don't worry, guys, Egypt is not on the list."
Turning Point USA has become a central force in mobilizing young conservative voters, particularly on college campuses. Kirk said the organization plans to return aggressively to universities in 2026, underscoring that debate remains core to its mission.
She told attendees that her husband "loved debate," adding that it would always remain part of the organization's DNA. Kirk outlined new initiatives, including campus tours and a "Pick up the Mic" campaign, aimed at expanding conservative visibility ahead of future election cycles.
Her endorsement of Vance drew the most attention. Referring to him as her "husband's friend," Kirk said she supported JD Vance for the 2028 election, reinforcing speculation that the vice president is being positioned as a leading Republican standard-bearer.
In prior comments, including a recent interview with Megyn Kelly, Kirk has highlighted Charlie Kirk's support for Vance during his Senate campaign, framing the vice president as aligned with the movement's populist and nationalist priorities.
Kirk also outlined broader electoral goals extending beyond the White House, emphasizing battleground-state organizing. She said Turning Point USA was focused on "investing in states, not just in races," citing Arizona, Nevada, and New Hampshire as key targets.
"We're going to ensure that President Trump has Congress for all four years," she said, tying near-term legislative goals to longer-term presidential ambitions.
