2028 power move: Turning Point's Erika Kirk throws support behind JD Vance as MAGA ‘heir apparent’

By Fox News · Fox News

Vice President JD Vance speaks Sunday at Turning Point USA's America Fest conference. But the vice president landed a major endorsement when the annual conference, held by the increasingly influential conservative group, kicked off on Thursday. Ericka Kirk, widow of the assassinated Turning Point co-founder Charlie Kirk , endorsed Vance in the 2028 presidential election during her speech in front of thousands of activists gathered in Phoenix, Arizona. "We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible," in 2028, she said. "Forty-eight" refers to the number of the next president. ERIKA KIRK OPENS FIRST TURNING POINT ANNUAL SUMMIT SINCE HUSBAND'S ASSASSINATION Kirk, who took over the reins of Turning Point after her husband's murder, also emphasized, "We are building the red wall." "We’re going to make sure that President Trump has Congress for all four years," she added, as she pointed to next year's midterm elections, when Republicans will defend their majorities in the House and Senate. SUCCEEDING TRUMP IN 2028: SIX REPUBLICANS TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON The backing of the vice president by Turning Point, which is particularly influential among younger conservatives and whose political arm has built up a powerful grassroots outreach operation, could give Vance a major boost should he decide to run for president in the 2028 election. A longtime adviser to President Donald Trump told Fox News Digital that "it wasn’t a surprise to see her endorse, given that while he was still alive, Charlie couldn’t have been more explicit about supporting Vance in 2028." POTENTIAL 2028 DEMOCRATS SPARK SPECULATION AT MAJOR PARTY GATHERING "Last night simply reaffirmed that Turning Point’s entire political machinery will be behind him if he decides to run. It’s another big get for the vice president and a warning shot to other potential candidates," added the adviser, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely. Vance and Charlie Kir…