Op-Ed: Joe Mitchell: Remembering my friend and mentor, Charlie Kirk
What I admired most about Charlie wasn’t just his willingness to help me start a nonprofit — it was his unapologetic commitment to being conservative, patriotic, and, above all, Christian.
Exactly six years ago yesterday, I met Charlie Kirk. I knew right away that I’d met a hero, and he turned into a true friend and mentor.
In 2019, Charlie was at the Des Moines Holiday Inn to headline an event called the “Battle for Truth & Freedom.” When we were introduced, Charlie asked me to stick around after the event.
We talked for several hours about how we could get more young conservatives elected to office.
Charlie had already inspired millions of young Americans to stand for freedom and truth, and he asked me to play a small part in his mission.
So a few months later, I came to Charlie with a plan — a new organization that would train, recruit, and mentor the next generation of elected conservative leaders. He loved the idea. And his encouragement was unwavering. He invited me to speak at his conferences and he helped me secure seed-money to start what’s now “Run GenZ.”
With Charlie’s steady, energetic help, we grew Run GenZ ten-fold. Together we recruited young conservatives in all 50 states to run for office. The organization continues to this day recruiting hundreds of GenZ conservative candidates to step up and run for office. Because of Charlie’s early support, Run GenZ will continue its important work for years to come.
Charlie even further encouraged me into public service. In January, Charlie and I talked after the 2024 Election. He said I should join President Donald Trump’s Transition Team. Once again, his convincing ability and genuine passion made it impossible to say no.
What I admired most about Charlie wasn’t just his willingness to help me start a nonprofit — it was his unapologetic commitment to being conservative, patriotic, and, above all, Christian. He gave young people like me and across the country courage to speak up. To be bold in declaring our love for God, our country, and traditional family values.
A month ago, I was with Charlie for his Annual Investor Retreat. An investor asked him the question “what’s your succession plan?”
Charlie answered “Turning Point will live on long after I’m here. We’ve created a movement that is larger than one person. It will have an impact for generations to come.” He’s right.
Now even in this dark time, everything he stood for and fought for is alive within each of us.
When he launched “Turning Point,” we knew that it was just the beginning of something bigger. Now we enter a new chapter. It’s on all of us to not just honor his legacy, but carry out the mission in full.
Joe Mitchell, 28, is the founder of Run GenZ and is a candidate for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District.