(NewsNation) — Charlie Kirk had prepared his wife Erika to take over Turning Point USA if something happened to him, telling associates he “knew Erika could handle” the leadership role she now holds following his assassination, the organization’s spokesman told NewsNation on Thursday.
Andrew Kolvet, spokesman for Turning Point USA and executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” said Kirk had explicitly planned for his wife to lead the conservative organization he co-founded in 2012.
“He told me personally, he told members of the board and other executives at the organization that should something happen, that Erika was going to be the person that took over,” Kolvet told NewsNation’s “CUOMO.”
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Kirk was fatally shot Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. His widow was unanimously elected CEO of Turning Point USA following his death.
Kolvet said Kirk had received death threats and “knew that there were people that wanted to hurt him.” Despite taking precautions, Kirk prepared for the possibility something could happen to him.
“He knew Erika could handle this type of lifestyle. He knew that she had it in her, and she was incredibly strong and fierce and true and good,” Kolvet said.
The spokesman acknowledged that no one could fully replace Kirk’s unique abilities as a debater, speaker, radio host and organizer, describing him as “a five tool athlete.” However, he said Erika Kirk serves as “the beating heart and the spiritual center and the life force” of the organization.
Erika Kirk to lead Turning Point USA after husband’s death, board announces
“It was the honor of our lives to serve as board members at Charlie’s side. 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. And now, it is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA,” read a statement signed by the organization’s board members.
The board members pledged to “carry on” Charlie Kirk’s mission, writing, “The attempt to destroy Charlie’s work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before.”
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The statement was signed by board members Doug De Groote, Mike Miller, Tom Sodeika and David Engelhardt.
In the immediate aftermath of her husband’s death, Erika Kirk pledged to pick up the mantle of the organization that her husband co-founded in 2012. “I promise I’ll make Turning Point the biggest thing this nation has ever seen,” she said in a Friday night livestream, in her first public comments since her husband’s death. “I promise Charlie.”
TPUSA membership surges following Charlie Kirk assassination
The organization has received 62,000 new inquiries to start chapters since Kirk’s death, Kolvet said, calling the response “miraculous.” Before the shooting, Turning Point USA had about 900 college chapters and 1,200 high school chapters.
“This has galvanized young people around the country,” Kolvet said, noting the organization previously had a presence on about 3,500 campuses.
Kolvet described the response as remarkable, saying supporters “aren’t burning buildings, they’re not raiding businesses, they’re praying, or they’re signing up, or they’re donating.”
NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.
