DES MOINES, Iowa \u2013 Alongside the familiar sounds of roosters crowing and thrill seekers screaming on rides at the Iowa State Fair, there was a chorus of boos from Turning Point Action activists who were heckling Democratic politicians making their way through the crowds. <\/p>\n
Videos of the confrontations got hundreds of thousands of views on social media, a burst of attention for a conservative youth organization that is charting its next chapter after last year’s assassination<\/a> of its leader Charlie Kirk<\/a>. But the true test of Turning Point Action’s clout was unfolding inside the exhibition center, where staff members were registering voters, handing out buttons and signing people up for social events. <\/p>\n \u201cBuilding the foundation for 2028,\u201d said one of the flyers. <\/p>\n While Democrats have punted Iowa<\/a> from the top of its presidential primary calendar<\/a>, the state’s caucuses will still kick off Republicans’ next nominating process. Turning Point Action is positioning itself to shape that contest, a reminder that preparations for the next White House campaign are already in motion even though no candidates have announced and the midterm elections<\/a> aren’t over yet.<\/p>\n Turning Point Action wants at least one staffer in each of Iowa\u2019s 99 counties to mobilize the conservative grassroots. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is important to us to see high voter participation in the caucuses,\u201d said Tyler Bowyer, the organization’s chief operating officer. \u201cThat\u2019s your measuring stick.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to Iowa, Turning Point Action grew its footprint in New Hampshire and Nevada for this year’s midterms, which could also help in 2028. <\/p>\n The likely beneficiary of this initiative would be Vice President JD Vance<\/a>, who is widely expected to launch<\/a> a campaign. Turning Point leaders including Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, have been clear they’re ready to throw their support behind Vance<\/a> if he jumps in.<\/p>\n More than a dozen Republican officials, activists, lawmakers and strategists in Iowa said Turning Point’s imprint in the state was visible but still something of a mystery, and some privately question whether the organization’s impact will match the buzz that it generates online.<\/p>\n But others have eagerly welcomed the organization to the state. <\/p>\n \u201cA year ago, Iowa was virgin \u2014 no Turning Point. And many of us complained,\u201d said Kelley Koch, a former Dallas County Republican chair, to a gathering of MAGA Nation Iowa, the grassroots organization she founded. \u201cFinally, Turning Point Action listened to us.\u201d<\/p>\n Early state investments could benefit Vance<\/p>\n When asked about his 2028 ambitions, Vance demurs and says he’s focused on his current job, but he’s expected to be an immediate Republican frontrunner if he decides to seek the presidency. Bowyer said Turning Point Action wants to be supportive without \u201cbeing pushy.”<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t officially endorsed as an organization yet because no one\u2019s announced, right? But, you know, depending on who announces and when we endorse \u2014 yeah, of course we\u2019ll be out campaigning on behalf of who we endorse,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Bowyer said Vance can bridge the gap between the Make America Great Again movement, which Trump launched more than a decade ago, and younger voters who were attracted to Charlie Kirk’s brand of conservatism. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a natural fit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Bowyer acknowledged that Turning Point Action’s growing infrastructure in early primary states could cause some agitation on the right if it is seen as throwing its weight behind one presidential candidate. But, he said \u201cthat\u2019s not why we do it,” describing the goal as boosting turnout in the Iowa caucuses to send a strong signal heading into the general election.<\/p>\n Other potential candidates include Marco Rubio<\/a>, Trump’s secretary of state. However, Rubio has said he wouldn’t run against Vance. <\/p>\n Sen. Ted Cruz<\/a> has not announced a campaign, but he has already made several visits to Iowa this year and said in a recent podcast hosted by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that, \u201cIt’s no secret that I want to be president.\u201d <\/p>\n New staff on the ground in Iowa look to grow the grassroots<\/p>\n Although Iowa has shifted rightward over the last decade, it’s considered a political battleground<\/a> in this year’s midterm elections because of Trump’s sagging approval ratings, declining access to healthcare and tariff-driven turmoil in the agricultural industry.<\/p>\n Sen. Joni Ernst and Gov. Kim Reynolds, both Republicans, are retiring, and there are fiercely contested races to replace them. Democrat Josh Turek and Republican Ashley Hinson are seeking the Senate seat<\/a>, while Democrat Rob Sand<\/a> and Republican Zach Lahn<\/a> want to be governor. Two battleground congressional districts will help determine control of the House as well. <\/p>\n The spotlight on Iowa this year is an opportunity for Turning Point Action to demonstrate its clout.<\/p>\n