Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk is reportedly being floated as a possible Republican candidate to challenge Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs in 2026.
News that Kirk may be considering a gubernatorial campaign for 2026 was revealed by 12 News reporter Brahm Resnik during the television station’s Sunday “Square Off” program when he claimed there is a “rumor” that Kirk is considering a run for governor after emerging as “a significant player” in the Republican Party during the 2024 elections.
Though she did not elaborate on the rumor, former Republican congressional candidate Christine Jones told Resnik that Kirk’s ability to raise money and campaign for Republicans could make him an attractive option for Arizona Republicans.
“I think it’s a very real possibility,” said Jones. “There is now doubt that Turning Point has shown an ability to both raise money and exert influence.”
#BREAKING: Charlie Kirk may seek to run for governor of Arizona – local NBC station
"He's emerged a significant player in Republican politics. There are rumors he wants to run for governor." pic.twitter.com/MeXvryrgD4
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 25, 2024
Jones suggested the true question about a Kirk gubernatorial campaign would be whether Arizona Republicans would prefer a more moderate candidate for governor, specifically Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee or former gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson, who lost her race for the Republican Party gubernatorial nomination to Kari Lake in 2022.
“I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion for him, but there cannot be an underestimating the power of his potential as a candidate, because he can raise money and a lot of people know who he is, and he’s on TV, and he’s having massive rallies around the state and around the country,” said Jones.
Donna Penniche, the other panelist interviewed by Resnick, suggested Democrats would prefer to face Kirk in November 2026 over Robson or Yee.
She said of Kirk, “I think when you look at the names that are being floated right now, that would be the best setup for another Democratic win in a general election.”
Multiple conservative media reporters shared a clip from “Square Off,” questioning whether Kirk might run for governor.
Jack Posobiec of Human Events questioned, “Governor Charlie Kirk of AZ?” Similarly, independent reporter Nick Sortor quipped, “This would be EPIC! I’d be the first one to move there.”
Kirk and TPUSA’s work to reach young voters, particularly through his “Brainwashed” tour of college campuses, was credited by Newsweek earlier this month with helping President-elect Donald Trump secure a victory in critical states, leading to his successful reelection to the White House on November 5.
Prior to the election, German-owned Politico reported Kirk’s group was a “force multiplier” for Trump, with one RNC member describing the TPUSA as “a messaging juggernaut and a fundraising juggernaut.”
Events held by TPUSA and headlined by Kirk included ballot-chasing rallies across Arizona.
Watch the full discussion of Kirk’s potential plans for governor on “Square Off”:
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Charlie Kirk” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “Arizona Capitol” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.
