Digital Social Hour: The Hidden Strategy That Won Every Swing State in 2024 | Tyler Bowyer DSH #1045

Release Date: January 2, 2025

In this compelling episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly delves deep into the strategies that led to a sweeping victory across every swing state in the 2024 elections. Joining him is Tyler Bowyer, the Chief Operating Officer of Turning Point Action, who offers invaluable insights into the organization's approach, challenges, and future plans. Below is a comprehensive summary of their engaging discussion.

1. Introduction and Background

Sean Kelly opens the episode by welcoming Tyler Bowyer, highlighting his long-standing commitment to Turning Point Action.

• 00:27 - 01:07

  Sean Kelly (A): "All right, guys, we got Tyler here today, COO of Turning Point Action. Thanks for joining us."

  Tyler Bowyer (B): "Yeah, of course. Thanks for having me on."

Tyler shares his journey with Turning Point Action, emphasizing his early involvement and the shared vision with founder Charlie Kirk.

• 00:33 - 01:10

  Tyler Bowyer: "I met Charlie in 2014 when Turning Point was just about a year and a half old. We had a similar vision, which is how we synced up."

2. The Vision and Growth of Turning Point Action

Tyler discusses the foundational goals of Turning Point Action, focusing on providing an alternative pathway for young conservatives outside the traditional establishment mold.

• 01:10 - 03:48

  Tyler Bowyer: "The vision was to offer young people an avenue away from the establishment's campaign mold, focusing on activism, which is what truly wins elections."

He underscores the importance of maintaining authenticity and diversity of thought within the organization, even amidst internal disagreements.

• 03:03 - 03:50

  Tyler Bowyer: "You can be yourself. We have a lot of different people, a lot of different viewpoints. It's about focusing on the right things that move the movement forward."

3. Strategy for Winning Swing States in 2024

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the meticulous strategy that led to victories in all key swing states during the 2024 elections.

• 03:49 - 07:05

  Tyler Bowyer: "We're the only organization with a full-time presence in all 10 key target states. By strategically investing in states like Arizona, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, we maximized our impact based on statistical probabilities."

He elaborates on the importance of targeted investment and ballot chasing, particularly in pivotal states like Pennsylvania and Arizona.

• 04:01 - 06:04

  Tyler Bowyer: "Ballot chasing involves identifying voters and ensuring they cast their ballots. In Wisconsin, this strategy was crucial, and while Pennsylvania remains a toss-up, our efforts there are ongoing."

4. Leveraging Social Media: The TikTok Phenomenon

The duo explores the role of social media, particularly TikTok, in amplifying their message and engaging a broader audience.

• 07:05 - 11:03

  Sean Kelly: "You guys were getting hundreds of millions of views on TikTok. Are you worried about the band coming up?"

  Tyler Bowyer: "TikTok was initially restrictive towards conservatives, but as Democrats considered shutting it down, the platform became more receptive, allowing our content to explode in visibility."

Tyler shares anecdotes illustrating the grassroots impact of their TikTok presence, emphasizing its role in reaching younger demographics.

• 08:19 - 10:16

  Tyler Bowyer: "I was in Chipotle and a teenager recognized me from TikTok, asking about Amfest. This shows the real-time impact and the importance of maintaining a strong presence on such platforms."

5. Recent Congressional Activities and Endorsements

Tyler provides an update on Turning Point Action's influence within Congress, highlighting their efforts to support Trump-aligned nominees and counteract establishment resistance.

• 11:03 - 15:14

  Tyler Bowyer: "We've sent hundreds of thousands of messages to Congress members advocating for Trump’s Cabinet nominees. There's a clear mandate for a government not dominated by figures like Mitch McConnell or Nancy Pelosi."

He discusses the endorsement and support of Senator J.D. Vance, illustrating how Turning Point Action identifies and backs promising political figures.

• 14:23 - 16:15

  Tyler Bowyer: "We endorsed J.D. Vance early on, which led to his Senate victory and subsequent vice presidency. He's bringing a younger energy to the party, akin to a political Obama with military experience."

6. Future Plans for Turning Point Action

Looking ahead, Tyler outlines the organization's expansion plans, including hiring initiatives and targeting critical states for upcoming elections.

• 16:45 - 18:33

  Tyler Bowyer: "Turning Point Action is growing. We're hiring for key races like the Wisconsin Supreme Court and expanding into states like Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, and North Carolina. Our focus is on building a strong ground presence to reclaim ground from the left."

He reiterates the importance of continuous effort post-election to maintain and build upon their successes.

• 18:03 - 18:33

  Tyler Bowyer: "Just because we won doesn't mean we slow down. We're continuously crafting plans to move into new areas and strengthen our influence."

7. Voter Engagement and Demographics

The conversation shifts to the challenges and strategies related to engaging different voter demographics, particularly older voters versus younger ones.

• 19:26 - 22:32

  Tyler Bowyer: "High propensity voters, especially older ones, are harder to convince to change their voting habits. However, 2024 showed that with effective ballot chasing and addressing misinformation, we're winning them back."

He emphasizes the need for persistent outreach to ensure voter turnout remains high, especially among aging populations.

• 21:11 - 22:32

  Tyler Bowyer: "As baby boomers age, it's crucial to chase their votes diligently. Many forget or miss voting opportunities, so we need to ensure they are informed and motivated to participate."

8. Conclusion and Call to Action

Wrapping up the episode, Tyler shares how listeners can support Turning Point Action's initiatives and stay engaged.

• 18:33 - 19:26

  Tyler Bowyer: "To get involved, visit coalitions.com at the local level or tpaction.com to contribute directly. We're also hiring for critical roles in upcoming races, so your support is vital."

Sean and Tyler close with an encouraging note on the organization's trajectory and the importance of collective effort in shaping the political landscape.

• 22:35 - End

  Tyler Bowyer: "Thank you for having me. Thanks for all the work that you do."

  Sean Kelly: "Absolutely. Thanks, guys."

Notable Quotes

• 00:01:

  • A: "I love how your foot's still on the gas. Because just because we won doesn't mean to stop or slow down."

• 04:22:

  • B: "We're going to keep doing what we're doing in Arizona, Wisconsin, and expand into other states."

• 08:19:

  • B: "TikTok has been a huge boon for the conservative movement."

• 14:23:

  • B: "JD is kind of like our Barack Obama, bringing an eloquent and activist-oriented leadership to our side."

• 16:15:

  • B: "He's the first millennial ever elected to vice president or president. He could very well be the first millennial president."

• 21:17:

  • B: "2024 has proven, number one, we gotta go out and chase. We gotta make sure that they do vote."

Key Takeaways

• Targeted Strategy: Turning Point Action's success in the 2024 elections was largely due to their strategic investment in key swing states, leveraging statistical data to maximize impact.

• Social Media Influence: The organization's adept use of platforms like TikTok significantly boosted their visibility and engagement, especially among younger voters.

• Voter Engagement: Persistent efforts in ballot chasing and addressing voter apathy were crucial in swinging traditionally difficult demographics.

• Future Expansion: Turning Point Action plans to continue its growth by entering new states, hiring for critical roles, and maintaining a strong ground presence to influence future elections.

• Leadership Endorsements: Early endorsements of emerging political figures like J.D. Vance demonstrate the organization's commitment to shaping a new generation of conservative leaders.

For listeners eager to support Turning Point Action or get involved, visit coalitions.com for local engagement and tpaction.com for direct involvement opportunities.

This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the strategic maneuvers behind a successful political campaign, highlighting the importance of data-driven decisions, grassroots activism, and effective use of social media in contemporary politics.