Following the tragic shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA has unanimously voted to appoint his widow, Erika Frantzve Kirk, as the organization’s new CEO and chair of the board.

In an open letter released this week, members of the Turning Point board said the decision honored Charlie’s own wishes. “In prior discussions, Charlie expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death,” the statement read.

“Charlie worked tirelessly to ensure that Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. It is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board.”

Charlie Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point at just 18 years old, rose to national prominence as a conservative voice on college campuses and later became a close ally of former President Donald Trump. He was conducting one of his trademark “Prove Me Wrong” debate events at Utah Valley University on September 10 when he was fatally shot.

The 30-year-old left behind his wife Erika — a former Miss Arizona USA and podcaster — and their two young children, a daughter born in 2022 and a son in 2024.

Erika broke her silence just days later on The Charlie Kirk Show, describing her husband’s legacy of courage, faith, and devotion to family. “Most of all, Charlie loved his children, and he loved me with all of his heart. My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children,” she said.

She also confirmed that plans are moving forward to continue Charlie’s American Comeback Tour this fall — an effort he had been preparing before his death.

But in her first remarks as CEO, Erika also made a chilling revelation. She disclosed that since Charlie’s assassination, she has received threatening messages warning that she “could share the same fate as her late husband.” Even more disturbing, she said some of the threats included warnings that private photos of her young daughter and son would be leaked online for malicious purposes.

Despite the intimidation, Erika delivered a bold declaration: she intends to carry forward her husband’s mission. Turning Point USA also vowed in its statement that “the attempt to destroy Charlie’s work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before.”

Erika Kirk now faces the immense challenge of leading her late husband’s organization through its most turbulent chapter yet — while protecting her family and ensuring that both his vision and his tour live on.