Following Charlie Kirk's death, Turning Point USA leadership appears to be charting an independent course that diverges from Donald Trump's preferences regarding the 2026 midterm elections.
According to Politico, after TPUSA's AmericaFest concluded Sunday, CEO Erika Kirk and Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer have made it clear their candidate endorsements may not necessarily align with Trump's wishes. This marks a significant shift from 2024, when TPUSA reliably supported Trump's preferred GOP primary candidates.
TPUSA is actively campaigning against Republican gubernatorial candidates Karrin Taylor Robson and Rep. David Schweikert in favor of Rep. Andy Biggs. The organization is simultaneously undermining Gina Swoboda, the Arizona GOP chair running for Schweikert's House seat, despite Trump's endorsement of her candidacy.
During AmericaFest, which drew approximately 30,000 conservative attendees, Erika Kirk publicly promoted only two candidates — Biggs and Vice President JD Vance as a potential 2028 presidential alternative, while Trump remains undecided.
Bowyer attacked Trump-endorsed candidate Swoboda on social media, writing, "Gina is a self-absorbed, bloviating, low-grade politician who does little to help the movement. She has used the AZGOP to prop herself up & isn't even good at it with her anti-Trump consultant. Huge embarrassment."
Politico reported that TPUSA, based in Phoenix, appears to be establishing dominance over Arizona's state party before potentially expanding its influence elsewhere.
Conservative campaign consultant Kevin DeMenna observed, "For any candidate that wants to succeed in Arizona Republican politics, they need to make their peace with Turning Point. And by that, I mean you're either with them or you're not. But I don't think there's any narrow path in between those two options."
Campaign advisor Chris Baker questioned whether TPUSA possesses sufficient voter influence to effectively challenge established Republican officials. "Expecting any one organization to supersede the candidates in the race, and that doesn't matter if it's Dave Schweikert or Robson, expecting one organization to play the role of kingmaker in a race like this, I think is asking a lot."
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