WASHINGTON — Erika Kirk was unanimously elected the new CEO and chairwoman of Turning Point USA, the powerhouse conservative grassroots organization that her late husband, Charlie, co-founded in 2012, the group announced Thursday.
“In prior discussions, Charlie expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death,” Turning Point USA’s board revealed in a statement.
Erika Kirk — who runs her own nonprofit, Everyday Heroes Like You — emotionally vowed to carry on her husband’s legacy following his assassination last week.
Turning Point USA’s statement announcing Erika Kirk as the new CEO and chair of its board.
Erika Kirk emotionally vowed to carry on her husband’s legacy following his assassination last week. Instagram/mrserikakirk
“Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one. He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests,” Turning Point USA’s board added. “We will not surrender or kneel before evil. We will carry on.”
“The attempt to destroy Charlie’s work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before.”
Charlie, 31, was assassinated while speaking to students at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
Authorities have arrested Tyler Robinson, 22, and charged him with Kirk’s murder, with Utah prosecutors saying they intend to ask for the death penalty.
Conservative icon Charlie Kirk, Erika’s husband, was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025. Instagram/mrserikakirk
On Tuesday, prosecutors released alleged messages between Robinson and his transgender boyfriend in which he confessed to murdering Kirk, with investigators claiming he also told his parents, “there is too much evil and the guy spreads too much hate.”
Erika and Charlie were married in 2021 and have two young children.
Here’s the latest on the Charlie Kirk shooting in Utah
Police identified Tyler Robinson, 22, as the alleged assassin who fatally shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice.
Law enforcement confirmed that Robinson was living with a transgender roommate, and communications between the two helping the feds catch the alleged assassin.
Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA creator, was attending an event on his American Comeback Tour when he was fatally shot in the neck by a single shot.
President Trump was among many who have called for the assassin to receive the death penalty.
Kirk’s body was brought to Arizona from Utah on Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, and taken to Phoenix’s Hansen Mortuary Chapel.
Kirk’s funeral, which President Trump has promised to attend, is scheduled for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
Kirk, a rising MAGA star, is survived by his wife and two young children.
On Friday night, Erika Kirk delivered a video address in which she addressed “evildoers” who cheered her late husband’s demise.
“You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry,” she declared.
On Friday night, Erika Kirk delivered a video address in which she addressed “evildoers” who cheered her late husband’s demise. Turning Point USA
“You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry,” she said. Turning Point USA
“They should all know this: If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea, you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world.”
Erika had been a strong supporter of her husband’s activism and occasionally appeared on his eponymous podcast. The former Miss Arizona USA also has her own religious-themed weekly podcast, “Midweek Rise Up.”
In addition to overseeing Turning Point USA, Kirk honed his debate skills on college campuses across the country, seeking to convert students to conservatism.
Erika Kirk waves to supporters who gathered to watch as a motorcade escorted the body of Charlie Kirk to Hansen Mortuary Chapel in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025. Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Erika had been a strong supporter of her husband’s activism and occasionally appeared on his eponymous podcast. Instagram/mrserikakirk
He also courted close relationships with key politicians and activists, with President Trump suggesting Thursday that Kirk could have become chief executive himself one day.
“All of us at Turning Point USA have a special role in carrying Charlie Kirk’s mantle and completing his vision of bringing us all closer to our Lord and fostering a prosperous country for generations to come,” the TPUSA board said in its statement.
Many Republicans — including Trump — credited Charlie’s work for helping them make inroads with younger voters, particularly males.