PHOENIX — Erika Kirk, the chief executive of Turning Point USA and the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, formally endorsed Vice President JD Vance for president in 2028 on Thursday, offering an early show of support that drew sustained applause at the group’s AmericaFest conference.
Kirk’s remarks, delivered before a packed ballroom of activists and donors, marked one of the earliest high-profile endorsements of the post-Trump era, signaling that influential conservative organizations are already looking ahead, years before that period formally begins.
A Long-Term Strategy for the Right
Framing her endorsement as part of a broader political plan, Kirk said Turning Point USA is focused less on individual races and more on reshaping the electoral map.
“For both 2026 and 2028, we’re investing in states and not just in races,” Kirk said. “So what I mean by that is we are building the red wall — Arizona, Nevada, New Hampshire. That’s going to be very important to us.”
She stressed that the immediate goal remains protecting Republican majorities in Congress to support President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda.
“We’re going to ensure that President Trump has Congress for all four years,” she said.
A Line That Lit Up the Room
Kirk’s most forceful moment came when she turned directly to the next presidential cycle.
“We are going to get my husband’s friend, JD Vance, elected for ’28 in the most resounding way possible,” she said, drawing cheers and a standing ovation from much of the crowd.
The endorsement is notable for its timing. With nearly three years to go before the next presidential election, few Republican leaders have been willing to publicly line up behind a successor.
Vance: Focused on the Job for Now
Vance has not announced a presidential campaign and has repeatedly said his attention remains on his role as vice president.
In an interview last month with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Vance acknowledged he has thought about what comes next, but said he avoids dwelling on it.
“I’ve thought about what that moment might look like after the midterm elections, sure,” Vance said. “But whenever I think about that, I try to put it out of my head and remind myself the American people elected me to do a job right now.”
He warned that premature ambition can be counterproductive.
“If you start getting distracted and focus on what comes next, I think it actually makes you worse at the job that you have,” Vance said.
For now, he said, the administration’s political focus is straightforward.
- Win the 2026 midterms
- Hold Republican majorities
- Revisit future plans after that
“And then after that, I’m going to sit down with the president of the United States and talk to him about it,” Vance said.
A Crowded Field Taking Shape
Kirk’s endorsement comes as early maneuvering intensifies within the Republican Party. Vance is widely viewed as a top-tier contender, but he is far from alone.
Other Republicans frequently mentioned as possible 2028 candidates include:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
- Texas Sen. Ted Cruz
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp
- Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin
- Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul
At the same AmericaFest gathering, ideological tensions within the conservative movement were also on display. Media figures Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson took public shots at one another, reflecting broader disagreements over the direction of the right and Carlson’s past platforming of far-right figures, like white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
An Early Marker for 2028
Still, Kirk’s remarks underscore the influence of Turning Point USA and its ability to mobilize young activists, donors, and grassroots organizers nationwide.
With the 2026 midterms looming and 2028 already on the minds of key players, her endorsement serves as an early marker of where some of the conservative movement hopes to go next — and a sign that JD Vance is already being positioned as a central figure in the GOP’s future.
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