Indiana Governor Braun Partners with Turning Point USA to Expand Student Programs

Governor Mike Braun announced a formal partnership with Turning Point USA at the Governor's Residence in Indianapolis on Thursday, issuing a proclamation that calls on every school and university in Indiana to facilitate student organizations like the conservative group's Club America affiliate.

The proclamation, issued March 12, lays out four directives: reaffirming free speech as a core value, commending Club America for fostering "an appreciation for American exceptionalism" and constitutional rights, calling on all Indiana schools and universities to "take all necessary steps to facilitate student organizations — such as Turning Point USA — that foster the values of liberty and freedom of speech," and encouraging Hoosiers to "engage in respectful discourse" and "uphold the free speech principles that enrich and preserve our shared civic life."

Braun told reporters the state's position is unambiguous. "You're going to be able to exercise freedom of speech to organize," he said. "Indiana is not going to be in the way of your doing it at the high school or college level." He described Indiana as "proud" to become the eighth state to partner with the organization and added, "I'm disappointed we weren't first." When pressed on the voluntary nature of the initiative, Braun said, "We're not saying you got to do it, we're just saying you're gonna have the ability to sell that, just like the other side has done it."

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, who attended the event alongside Turning Point officials, framed the goal in sweeping terms: "This sets the stage to say we, as a state, want to see pro-American clubs like Club America just in every school possible in our entire state."

The announcement followed by two days a separate partnership revealed by Secretary of State Diego Morales, who said his office would work with Club America to host voter registration drives and recruit poll workers at Indiana high schools. The Indiana Capital Chronicle noted that both new partnerships involve the use of state resources.

Braun's proclamation arrives as Indiana school board elections grow more openly partisan. A state law passed last year now requires school board candidates to indicate on the ballot whether they are affiliated with a political party, identify as independent, or decline to state a party affiliation. Supporters say it gives voters more information; critics argue it deepens partisan divisions in local education governance. Braun specifically urged school board members and candidates not to block efforts to establish Club America chapters in their districts.

Not everyone welcomed the governor's endorsement. Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, argued that singling out one organization for state backing creates an unequal playing field. "When you decree one group as higher status than others, you're sending a clear message to the groups that didn't get that endorsement," Vaughn said. She directed similar criticism at Morales, telling the Indiana Capital Chronicle: "Morales should either offer partnerships to all groups that do voter registration in Indiana — both conservative and progressive — or steer clear of any association and do the work independently. His teaming up with Turning Point USA looks more like a political partnership than one that is based on public service."

The Indiana Capital Chronicle reported that Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, said last month that Indiana would join the list of Republican-led states with official campaigns to establish Club America chapters in every high school. The Capital Chronicle also noted that while Turning Point USA and Club America websites do not directly mention the Republican Party, they often point to supporting conservative values.

Braun's proclamation stops short of mandating that schools create chapters, but his explicit warning to school board members not to obstruct the effort signals that the administration intends to monitor compliance with its call to facilitate student organizing.