Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk (née Frantzve), has been named the new CEO and chair of the board of Turning Point USA after her husband’s death.
“In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon wrote that mankind is to be tested by God. Today we are facing such a test, yet we also know that God has prepared us with everything we need to overcome this ordeal,” a statement from the organization’s board read on Thursday, September 18. “It was the honor of our lives to serve as board members at Charlie’s side. Charlie prepared us all for a moment like this one.”
The statement continued, “He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest test. And now, it is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA.”
A social media post alongside the announcement revealed that Erika was “unanimously elected” by the board, noting that Charlie had “expressed” that these were his wishes “in the event of his death.” Charlie cofounded Turning Point USA alongside Bill Montgomery in 2012 as a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics at high schools and colleges.
Erika, 36, married Charlie in May 2021. They share two kids, a daughter born in August 2022 and a son born in May 2024.
“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,” Thursday’s statement continued. “As Charlie always said, ‘We have a country to save.’ We will not surrender or kneel before evil. We will carry on.”
The message concluded, “The attempt to destroy Charlie’s work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before.”
Turning Point USA’s decision comes more than one week after Charlie was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. He was 31 years old.
Tyler Robinson turned himself in and was arrested for Charlie’s death. The 22-year-old was charged with a capital offense, aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm along with several lesser counts, including obstruction of justice, witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.
Robinson’s first court hearing took place on Tuesday, September 16, but the suspect did not enter a plea. He will remain in the Utah County Jail without bail. His next hearing is set for Monday, September 29.