The shocking assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk rocked social media the last few weeks, revealing both the best and worst of our nation’s humanity. Many of us are still mourning as we grapple with the tragic reality that a peaceful political event ended in the death of a 31-year-old husband and father.
For my generation, Charlie wasn’t just a voice. He was THE voice. I was born in 1995—close enough to Gen Z to have grown up in the exact cultural moment. I saw why Charlie’s message resonated with people my age: his clear beliefs, unapologetic style, and willingness to walk into the most demanding environments spoke to us in a way few leaders have.”
I was nervous the first time I attended a Turning Point USA event. I had worked in politics for a couple of years but hadn’t found a real community with like-minded people. On this small Pennsylvania campus, conservatives often felt isolated. The moment I walked in, it felt like family. The room buzzed with athletes, cheerleaders, honor students, and part-time workers — ordinary students who loved their country and wanted to discuss ideas.
That was Charlie’s gift. He made conservatism feel like belonging. He made conservatism cool.
Of course, TPUSA events drew protestors—sometimes angry, sometimes loud. But instead of shutting them out, Charlie invited debate. On campuses across the country, students of every stripe lined up to challenge him. He answered—respectfully, patiently, passionately.
In 2024, Charlie spent over 200 hours debating on 65 campuses. These weren’t viral “gotcha” moments or shouting matches. They were civil, thoughtful conversations rooted in respect—something rare in today’s politics. While many conservatives lamented liberal dominance in higher education, Charlie did something bolder: he walked into the lion’s den. He made the case for conservatism as the best path to prosperity and freedom.
And it was working. A Gallup/Walton Family Foundation study found Gen Z teens are now twice as likely to identify as more conservative than their parents. A 2024 Yale study found that 18- to 21-year-olds favored Republicans by nearly 12 points. Voters of color in Gen Z and younger Millennials are shifting right in notable numbers: Black voters by 14.5 percent and Latino voters by 22.5 percent, compared to a 4.5 percent increase among white voters.
This shift isn’t solely because of Charlie or TPUSA—but their role is clear. Pew Research found that nearly 40 percent of young Americans now get news from influencers, a category that Charlie has also embraced. His clips of rapid-fire, respectful debates drew millions of views, sparking conversations mainstream outlets ignored. Beyond social media, TPUSA mobilized thousands of young voters to phone bank, knock doors, and support candidates who shared their vision—shaping races across the country.
Charlie’s death is a crushing tragedy, and its ripple effects will be felt for years. The best way to honor him is not by giving in to anger and violence, but by carrying forward his example. He said: “If you believe in something, you need to have the courage to fight for those ideas—not run away from them or try to silence them.”
For me, that means continuing the work Charlie started—building a free and prosperous America where disagreement doesn’t lead to destruction and where the peaceful exchange of ideas is celebrated, not feared. Most of all, it means making sure the next generation knows that standing up for conservative values doesn’t make you strange or alone. It makes you part of something bigger.
Charlie Kirk showed us that. And for that, he will always be remembered.
Casey Newcomer is the political director at Direct Edge Campaigns, an award-winning Republican direct mail and consulting firm based in Nashville.
