Turning Point USA straw poll in Phoenix shows overwhelming conservative backing for Vice President JD Vance as 2028 favorite
Vice President JD Vance topped a Turning Point USA straw poll at AmericaFest in Phoenix, securing roughly 82.6–84.2% support from attendees, while TPUSA leadership publicly endorsed him and pledged organizational backing for a potential 2028 bid.
Key takeaways
- Straw poll result: Vance led with about 82.6%–84.2% of attendee support according to event reporting, cited by Fox News, local CBS Austin, CBS4Local, KFOX and a compiled event summary at EVRIMAGACI.
- Organizational support: TPUSA leadership — including CEO Erika Kirk — publicly endorsed Vance and pledged resources for a possible run.
- Sample limits: The poll measures AmericaFest attendees (young, activist conservatives) and is not a scientific, nationally representative survey; independent polls show smaller Vance leads in broader GOP matchups.
- Local implications: While unlikely to shift broad voter registration in places like Los Angeles, the result signals where conservative activist energy and messaging may be focused ahead of 2026 and 2028.
About the Turning Point USA poll in Phoenix
Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest hosts straw polls among attendees to gauge activist sentiment. According to multiple reports, the December event’s straw poll found an overwhelming preference for Vice President JD Vance among the gathered conservatives. Fox News cited an 84.2% figure and called it historic for the event; local affiliates reported similar figures in the low 80s (CBS Austin, CBS4Local, KFOX), and a compiled summary at EVRIMAGACI.
Verification issues and competing figures
Reporting includes small discrepancies — some outlets cited 84.2%, others 82.6% — but all show a dominant Vance lead among attendees. The event straw poll is an audience measure and not a random national sample; organizers framed the results as evidence of grassroots enthusiasm rather than a definitive national verdict.
There were also viral claims of very large raw-count responses (for example, 31,008 attendees naming specific threats) that do not appear in the press coverage from the cited outlets; those precise tallies could not be verified in the available reports and likely originate from an unverified source.
TPUSA endorsement and conservative backing for JD Vance
TPUSA’s leadership went beyond reporting straw poll numbers and offered an explicit nod to Vance. Coverage says CEO Erika Kirk publicly endorsed him at the event and pledged organizational resources to support a potential candidacy, according to a compiled event summary (EVRIMAGACI).
“Historic” support for the event was the phrase used by TPUSA spokespeople to describe the level of enthusiasm, according to reporting.
Vance’s response and next steps
Vice President Vance has not declared a 2028 campaign. Multiple reports say he remains focused on the 2026 midterms and will consult with President Trump and advisers before making any decision about 2028, per event coverage and the compiled summary at EVRIMAGACI. Independent metrics cited in reporting showed modest approval upticks into the mid-40s in some measures, which analysts say could position him as an appealing early front-runner among GOP activists.
Wider context: what a straw poll means for the GOP nomination
Straw polls at movement events often reflect the preferences of highly engaged activists and can boost momentum, media attention, and early donor/volunteer interest. They do not always predict primary outcomes among broader electorates. More representative polling — for example, an independent poll noted in reporting that placed Vance lower in some hypothetical GOP fields — provides additional context on how activist enthusiasm compares with likely primary voters.
Media coverage and sources
Coverage of the AmericaFest straw poll appeared across conservative and local outlets. Key reports and summaries include Fox News, local affiliate pieces at CBS Austin and CBS4Local, KFOX, and an event summary at EVRIMAGACI.
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Political landscape: Los Angeles is a heavily Democratic city in a blue state; the Turning Point USA poll and TPUSA endorsement are unlikely to change citywide partisan control. Still, the result signals where conservative activist energy may flow and which messages could appear in local media and outreach.
Local campaigns and messaging: National GOP groups buoyed by activist enthusiasm for figures like Vance may increase outreach to suburbs and college campuses (for example, USC, UCLA, and community colleges), seeking to mobilize younger conservative voters (EVRIMAGACI).
Media and public conversation: Local newsrooms may see more national conservative narratives amplified on social platforms and in broadcast segments, potentially elevating debates on immigration, affordability and “America First” themes.
Policy and ballot impacts: Energetic conservative activism could increase pressure on local officials and ballot measures tied to immigration, housing affordability and public safety, especially in tight county-level contests.
Practical effects for residents: Most residents likely won’t feel immediate changes, but increased campaign advertising, events and campus activity could affect local civic life ahead of the 2026 midterms and into 2028.
Watch points for journalists and officials: Track volunteer recruitment, campus events and ad buys tied to TPUSA or national conservative groups to see if the movement’s priorities (voter integrity, affordability, immigration) translate into concrete local campaigns or ballot initiatives.
