Conservatives at AmericaFest 2025 overwhelmingly back Vice President JD Vance in Turning Point USA poll, signaling early momentum for a JD Vance 2028 GOP Nominee push
Vice President JD Vance dominated Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025 straw poll in Phoenix, with 84.2% of attending conservatives selecting him — a strong sign of early activist momentum and TPUSA’s public backing for a potential 2028 GOP bid.
Key takeaways
- Massive straw-poll showing: 84.2% of AmericaFest attendees chose JD Vance in the TPUSA straw poll, a result reported by multiple outlets including Turning Point USA coverage and Fox News.
- Minor reporting variances: Alternate tallies (for example from local affiliates and social posts) showed slightly different percentages for lower-tier candidates — the narrative of Vance dominance remains consistent (CBS Austin, KTXS, KFOX).
- Organizational backing: TPUSA leaders, including CEO Erika Kirk and spokesman Andrew Kolvet, framed the result as a historic, “all in” moment and pledged support for Vance’s movement.
What the Turning Point USA poll shows
AmericaFest has become a prominent convening for conservative activists; its straw polls are not scientific but act as a strong barometer of activist energy. The group’s AmericaFest 2025 results showed an unusually lopsided preference for Vice President JD Vance among attendees.
The numbers and reporting differences
Reported figures center on 84.2% backing for Vance in a widely cited account. Other tallies circulated: a Charlie Kirk Show producer’s social-media post listed Vance at 82.6%, with Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy at higher percentages than in some reports. Local affiliates also published slightly differing lower-tier totals. These variations are small and do not alter the overall picture: Vance dominated the straw poll.
Sources reporting alternate figures include media outlets and affiliates such as CBS Austin, KTXS, and KFOX.
TPUSA endorsements and Vance’s response
TPUSA CEO Erika (Charlie) Kirk publicly pledged the organization’s backing for Vance and called on activists to build toward his election as the 48th president. TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet characterized the result as conservatives being “all in” for Vance and said it marked the highest support in the poll’s history.
“All in” — characterization attributed to TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet.
Vance addressed the crowd, urging a broad “America First” coalition and saying he would focus first on the 2026 midterms before making formal decisions about a 2028 run, while also discussing options with former President Trump.
Top issues and measurement caveats
The AmericaFest poll also asked attendees about top issues. Public reporting shows voter integrity/voter ID topping responses at 9.3%, the affordability crisis at 8.1%, mass deportations at 5.3% and concerns about the “deep state/lawfare” at 4.2%. Some circulated raw-number tallies for threat questions could not be verified in major coverage; this report relies on documented percentages and official statements.
Available mainstream coverage of issue rankings includes reporting by Fox News.
Broader polling context
Beyond the TPUSA straw poll, a December survey cited alongside event coverage (referenced in TPUSA reporting) showed Vance leading a hypothetical GOP primary at 47%, with Marco Rubio and Ron DeSantis trailing. That aligns with the notion that activist groups are coalescing behind Vance in some early measures — though national contests will include far broader electorates.
The December survey is discussed in TPUSA-focused coverage and referenced in the TPUSA report (Turning Point USA reporting).
Implications for Alamogordo, New Mexico
Economic impact
Local campaigns and activism: A strong conservative push toward a JD Vance 2028 nomination could draw national donors and organizers into New Mexico, benefiting hotels, restaurants and event venues in Alamogordo when activists or candidate events visit.
Policy expectations: If a Vance-aligned movement gains traction, it may press for federal policies tied to economic nationalism and trade that could affect New Mexico sectors such as tourism and defense contracting. Residents and business owners should watch policy proposals that affect federal spending in the region.
Political consequences
Local GOP organizing: Conservative activists in Alamogordo and Otero County may view the AmericaFest results as a signal to rally behind Vance-style messaging, potentially shaping county platforms and endorsements ahead of 2026 and 2028 primaries.
Primary dynamics: If TPUSA and allied groups mobilize in New Mexico, primary turnout patterns could shift — residents should note which local officials and activists align with national conservative leaders.
Social and cultural effects
Community debates: The AmericaFest focus on voter integrity, affordability and immigration could intensify local debates in schools, churches and civic groups in Alamogordo.
Outreach to younger voters: TPUSA’s influence among young conservatives may change how campaigns engage college-age and young adult voters nearby, through on-campus events and recruitment.
Practical applications for residents
- Watch for local events: Expect more town halls, debates and rallies as national attention grows.
- Check claims and data: Straw polls at activist events are not scientific; residents should seek primary-source poll data and balanced local reporting (CBS Austin, KTXS).
Sources and coverage
Reporting and source links cited in this article:
