Braun backs more Turning Point school clubs in Indiana to balance ‘the other side’

by Tom Davies, Indiana Capital Chronicle
March 12, 2026

Gov. Mike Braun on Thursday endorsed establishing student chapters of the conservative group Turning Point USA at all Indiana schools in starkly political terms, even while saying he wanted to protect free speech rights for all.

Braun joined Turning Point organizers and about a dozen young adult supporters as he announced his advocacy for Club America chapters at the Governor’s Residence.

The Republican governor also issued a proclamation calling upon “all schools and universities in Indiana to take all necessary steps to facilitate student organizations — such as Turning Point USA — that foster the values of liberty and freedom of speech in their students and institutions.” 

When asked by a reporter whether it was proper for the state to favor such student groups, Braun indicated that conservative organizations needed to catch up to liberals in activism among young people.

“When it comes to what views you are espousing, they’re very clearly espoused on the other side of the ledger — more government, more bureaucracy, more going in debt,” Braun said. “This is coming from folks that believe in Christian values that mean maybe less government, believing in ideals based upon family and community, freedom and opportunity.”

At least seven other Republican-led states have endorsed the push for spreading Club America chapters that picked up following the shooting death of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk as he was speaking at Utah Valley University in September.

Action knocked as misuse of state’s “platform and credibility”

Braun said he was “disappointed” that Indiana wasn’t the first state to do so, but maintained that he wasn’t “providing favoritism to anyone.”

“You’re just as welcome to get out and do whatever you want, coming from any point of view,” he said. “But the part of our political apparatus that’s been most against this is not ones on this side, but on the other side. It’s not endorsing anything particularly, it’s making sure you’ve got the freedom of speech to be as loud about your point of view as the other side is always exercised with high decibel levels.”

While no formal program is being established by the governor to push for Club America chapters, a top state Democrat argued that Braun was crossing a line.

Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder said the governor was wrongly “using the power, platform and credibility of the state to elevate one national political organization above all others.”

“Students in Indiana already have the freedom to form clubs, speak their minds, register to vote and participate in civic life,” Yoder said in a statement. “The question is not whether students can participate. The question is whether the State of Indiana should be putting its thumb on the scale for one outside ideological agenda.” 

Turning Point’s website lists several college chapters and a couple dozen high school clubs across Indiana. More than 3,000 people attended a sold-out Turning Point event on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus in October when former Fox News host Tucker Carlson was the headline speaker in Kirk’s place following his assassination. 

Josh Thifault, Turning Point’s senior director of major gifts, said during Thursday’s event with Braun that he was “proud that Indiana is leading the charge.”

“God bless Charlie and the sacrifice that he made,” Thifault said. “He died for our First Amendment rights, and because of his sacrifice, so boldly going out there, telling people about Jesus, telling people about the founding of our country. Because he made that sacrifice publicly, while he was doing what he loved, what mattered most, he ignited something that the devil cannot stop. He ignited something that is changing the fabric of America.”

Braun and Thifault both raised concerns about school officials putting up roadblocks to establishing conservative student clubs. But neither provided any instances of that happening in Indiana when asked Thursday.

The governor did not mention any state enforcement actions that might be taken against non-compliant schools.

Top Republicans embrace Turning Point

Braun’s advocacy for Turning Point comes as Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales, also a Republican, announced this week a voter registration partnership with the group aimed at high school students.

Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012, forming college chapters across the country and being credited with mobilizing younger voters to support President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said Thursday that the push for Club America was not a “super Republican” initiative.”

“We as a state want to see pro-American clubs like Club America just in every school possible in our entire state,” Beckwith said. “It’s not partisan. This is not a Republican-Democrat thing. This is a pro-America thing. This is about American values, American exceptionalism, things that set us apart from other nations around the world.”

The leader of the state’s largest teachers union said the right of students to form school clubs is already protected under federal law and existing 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,” Indiana State Teachers Association President Jennifer Smith-Margraf said. “Decisions about student activities are best handled at the local school level with the goal of supporting all students.”

Braun insisted that he wanted to see an “even playing field” for all viewpoints and state partnerships such as in voter registration.

“The other side of the aisle has been much better at that, and have used all the tools and techniques and I applaud them for it,” Braun said. “This is about our side getting better at what the other side has used for decades to outmaneuver us, outwit us.”

This story has been updated with comment from the Indiana State Teachers Association.

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