Turning Point USA Hosted Youth Event in Phoenix
The conservative organization visited Grand Canyon University to rally young voters for the upcoming midterm elections.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Youth
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Turning Point USA held an America: Love It or Leave It tour event at Grand Canyon University on Oct. 1. The gathering aimed to boost youth participation ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
Why it matters
Conservative organizers are working to reverse recent trends in youth support, as polling shows a significant gap between Democratic and Republican leanings among voters aged 18 to 29. The effort seeks to address concerns regarding the erosion of conservative support in this demographic.
A recent poll shows 57% of voters aged 18 to 29 lean toward Democrats, compared to 31% leaning Republican. Arizona Secretary of State data from July shows a statewide registration advantage of roughly 313,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats.
The players
Erika Kirk
She serves as the CEO of Turning Point USA and spoke at the event.
Brandon Tatum
He is a speaker who expressed beliefs regarding future economic policy.
Shane Winnings
He serves as the chairman and CEO of Promise Keepers.
Turning Point USA
This is a conservative non-profit organization that promotes student activism.
Grand Canyon University
This is a private Christian university located in Phoenix where the event was hosted.
The details
The event featured speakers including Erika Kirk, Brandon Tatum, and Shane Winnings, who addressed audience members during a question and answer segment. Erika Kirk, who serves as the CEO of Turning Point USA, delivered a 17-minute speech to those in attendance.
Timeline
2020: Joe Biden won 18 to 29-year-old voters.
2024: Kamala Harris won 18 to 29-year-old voters.
July 2026: Arizona Secretary of State reported voter registration statistics.
Oct. 1, 2026: Turning Point USA held an event at Grand Canyon University.
November 2026: Midterm elections occur.
Culture Shift
The event marks a strategic attempt by conservative organizers to counteract the established trend of young voters leaning toward Democratic candidates. This effort directly responds to the electoral patterns seen in 2020 and 2024 that have created challenges for Republican outreach.
Residents may see increased political activity and outreach efforts in the lead-up to the November midterm elections. These organized events are designed to influence the daily engagement and voting habits of young citizens in the region.
The takeaway
Conservative organizations are increasingly prioritizing on-campus outreach to address demographic shifts in voter preference. Younger voters should expect continued efforts from political groups to influence their participation in the upcoming election cycle.
What happens next
The midterm elections are scheduled to occur in November 2026.
Further reading
Read more about regional political engagement on the Phoenix Youth page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Your Valley.
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