Erika Kirk was elected unanimously as the new leader of the organization, which was founded in 2012.
Turning Point USA announced on Sept. 18 that it has named Erika Kirk as the new CEO and board chair of Turning Point USA, which her late husband, Charlie Kirk, co-founded.
“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,” board members Doug De Groote, Mike Miller, Tom Sodeika, and David Engelhardt wrote in a statement.
Erika Kirk was elected unanimously as the new leader of the organization, which was founded in 2012.
“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 board members wrote.
“As Charlie always said, ‘We have a country to save.’ 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.”
Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 during an event at Utah Valley University while answering an attendee’s question about mass shootings. This appearance was part of his “American Comeback” tour. The conservative commentator was 31 years old.
He is survived by his wife and their two young children. His funeral is scheduled for Sept. 21.
Erika Kirk delivered an emotional speech on Sept. 12, paying tribute to her husband.
“Two days ago, my husband, Charlie, went to see the face of his Savior and his God. Charlie always said that when he was gone, he wanted to be remembered for his courage and for his faith,” she said, standing next to what was Charlie Kirk’s seat in the studio where he recorded his podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show.
“And one of the final conversations that he had on this Earth, my husband witnessed for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now and for all eternity, he will stand at his Savior’s side, wearing the glorious crown of a martyr.”
Erika Kirk talked about what her husband loved.
“Charlie loved, loved life. He loved his life. He loved America. He loved nature, which helped him always bring him closer to God. He loved the Chicago Cubs. And my goodness, did he love the Oregon Ducks,” she said.
“But most of all, Charlie loved his children, and he loved me, with all of his heart, and I knew that.
“Every day, I knew that. He made sure I knew that every day. Every day he would ask me, ‘How can I serve you better? How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father?’—every day.”
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