Andy Surabian, a top political adviser and longtime friend of Charlie Kirk, says Kirk was “one of one” and doubts anyone could ever replace him. Surabian reflected on Kirk’s legacy and shared what he believed Kirk would have been most proud of.
Surabian said Kirk inspired a generation of young conservatives who he believed had the potential to become leaders just like him. Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA at 18 and turned it into a major force in conservative youth politics and voter mobilization.
Though Kirk was only 31 when he was assassinated, Surabian said he was just starting to rise. Surabian believes Kirk had many more chapters ahead of him in the public sphere.
Surabian described Kirk’s strengths in detail. He said Kirk was a strong fundraiser, beloved by donors, charismatic, excellent in debates, skilled in media, and a strategic organizer who could understand and deliver messaging in powerful ways. Surabian added that Kirk was intelligent and above all decent.
Surabian also recalled how they first became friends in 2018. They bonded over politics and their closeness in age. Surabian trusts Kirk’s instincts deeply. If Kirk supported someone, Surabian often did too without hesitation.
At the center of Surabian’s pride for Kirk is not just what Kirk did but the influence he had on others. Surabian said Kirk would be proudest of the people he inspired and the movement he built.
Surabian predicted Kirk might have become a figure on the scale of Rush Limbaugh in terms of influence. That comparison is significant given Limbaugh’s role in shaping conservative media over decades.
