New Vance-friendly group launching to push GOP toward younger hardliners

American Ascent, a new Republican group, is launching to push the GOP toward younger, hardline conservatives. Founded by Ryan Neuhaus, former Heritage Foundation chief of staff, the 501(c)(4) aims to build a bench of young, America First-aligned lawmakers to flip seats held by aging politicians in 2028. The group includes allies of Vice President JD Vance, such as Turning Point Action, the Claremont Institute, and the Oversight Project.

A PAC led by Andy Surabian, a Vance and Donald Trump Jr. aide, will also partner with the effort. The initiative plans to recruit young conservatives to run as primary challengers to incumbent Republicans, even though Neuhaus declined to confirm this explicitly. American Ascent will scout and train young leaders through a "Fellowship for American Ascent" program and compile data on the best opportunities for flipping seats in 2028.

The group's backers argue that Republicans must adopt a more aggressive populist agenda, particularly on immigration, to win over young and Latino voters, who have shifted left in recent elections. The organization is being funded by a $12 million initial investment from GOP megadonor Thomas Klingenstein, who believes the U.S. is in a "cold civil war" between conservatives and their opponents.