Gov. Mike Braun singled out support for Turning Point USA Thursday as the conservative group expands its reach into high schools.
Braun’s announcement and proclamation made Indiana the eighth GOP-led state to establish a partnership with Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at a college rally last September. His wife, Erika Kirk, now heads the organization.
Before his death, Charlie Kirk planned to launch high school chapters across the country.
Braun was joined at the Governor’s Residence by Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Turning Point leaders and young adult backers. He praised the organization for its values and support for free speech as he urged schools and universities to embrace the right-wing organization.
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“I commend the work of Turning Point USA’s Club America and other organizations dedicated to fostering an appreciation for American exceptionalism, the importance of constitutional rights, and standing for freedom,” Braun said in his announcement.
“I call on all schools and universities in Indiana to take all necessary steps to facilitate student organizations like Turning Point USA that foster the values of liberty and freedom of speech in the next generation of Hoosiers.”
Braun didn’t specify if the state would exact punishment on schools that rejected Turning Point chapters. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott said any school obstructing clubs should face disciplinary actions.
According to the Turning Point website, it has 38 college chapters and 64 high school clubs. The Indiana Daily Student reported last year that membership in the IU chapter doubled to nearly 400 students after Kirk’s assassination.
The federal government already requires public schools to adhere to the First Amendment. As long as the clubs align with school policies, they shouldn’t be treated differently from other clubs, federal law states.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Diego Morales said Tuesday the state launched a voter registration and poll worker recruitment initiative with Turning Point to host voter registration drives on high school campuses and provide students with “accurate, up-to-date election information.”
The Post-Tribune reached out to several schools for comment. Lake Central and Chesterton officials confirmed that their high schools do not currently have TPUSA chapters.
Chesterton High School Principal Brent Martinson said student organizations typically start with a student expressing interest by approaching a staff member to request they serve as a sponsor, who would help supervise meetings.
When a sponsor agrees to serve in the role, the student will meet with an Assistant Principal and submit a proposal explaining the club’s purpose, their interest in starting one, and how it would benefit the student body.
“This helps ensure that clubs are organized, sustainable, and aligned with student interests,” Martinson said in an email.
Teacher unions and Democrats pushed back against the Turning Point partnership.
“It’s another idea that is not welcomed by most educators,” said Indiana Federation of Teachers President GlenEva Dunham, who also heads the Gary Teachers Union. She voiced criticism of Braun’s endorsement.
“He should not be involved in school districts’ choice of extracurricular activities for their schools and student bodies.”
The Indiana State Teachers Union issued a statement:
“Educators believe students should have the freedom to form clubs and engage in civic discussions in their schools. That right already exists under federal law and longstanding school policies.
“Public schools should remain focused on creating a respectful learning environment where students can explore ideas and perspectives without the state appearing to favor or promote any particular political organization. Decisions about student activities are best handled at the local school level with the goal of supporting all students.”
Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, criticized Braun, a longtime President Trump supporter.
“This was the governor of Indiana using the power, platform and credibility of the state to elevate one national political organization above all others.
“That should alarm every Hoosier, regardless of party,” she said.
“Braun is trying to sell special treatment as neutrality and political favoritism as free speech…
“Turning Point is not a neutral civics organization. It is a political operation with a defined ideological mission. Its affiliated faith arm says it exists to serve the American Church and advance a religious vision in public life. That is its right as a private organization. What is not right is for the governor of Indiana to use public office to help embed that operation deeper into public schools and public institutions,” she said in her statement.
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Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.