DES MOINES, Iowa — Turning Point Action, a conservative youth organization, is expanding its grassroots operations in Iowa ahead of the 2028 Republican presidential primary, with plans to place at least one staffer in each of the state’s 99 counties. The group, which gained national attention for confrontations with Democratic politicians at the Iowa State Fair, is also growing its footprint in New Hampshire and Nevada.
The organization’s chief operating officer, Tyler Bowyer, emphasized the importance of high voter participation in the Iowa caucuses, stating, “That’s your measuring stick.” Turning Point Action’s efforts come as Iowa remains the first state in the Republican nominating process, despite Democrats removing it from the top of their primary calendar.
While no Republican candidates have formally announced their 2028 campaigns, Vice President JD Vance is widely expected to run, with Turning Point leaders including Erika Kirk, the widow of the group’s late founder Charlie Kirk, indicating support for Vance if he enters the race. More than a dozen Republican officials were also mentioned in connection with the organization’s activities.
Inside the Iowa State Fair’s exhibition center, Turning Point Action staff registered voters, distributed buttons, and organized social events, with flyers reading “Building the foundation for 2028.” The group’s activities included confrontations with Democratic politicians, which were widely shared on social media, generating hundreds of thousands of views. However, the organization framed its primary focus as voter mobilization rather than public disputes.
The expansion aligns with Turning Point Action’s broader strategy to shape the Republican primary process, leveraging its grassroots network to influence early-state contests. The group’s efforts in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada are seen as critical to its long-term goal of shaping the GOP’s nominating process ahead of the 2028 election.