Jason Turkish, the fiance of Representative Haley Stevens, D-Mich., announced he will not support Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Turkish, who is Jewish and a registered Democrat, considers El-Sayed an antisemite. Despite Turkish’s stance, Stevens continues to back El-Sayed for Senate.
Turkish told The Detroit News he plans to vote for Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers. He made this declaration during a Rogers event sponsored by the Republican Jewish Coalition in Birmingham, Michigan.
“I waited, and I watched and I listened for Abdul to moderate – but he didn’t moderate, he escalated,”
Turkish said in a video published by The Detroit News.
He expressed disappointment at El-Sayed’s conduct during the general election campaign, stating,
“He’s gotten worse and has driven people further apart.”
In contrast, Stevens remains committed to El-Sayed, stating to CNN,
“Like many households across America, we’re divided. I still want our Democratic nominee, Abdul, to win.”
Turkish raised concerns about El-Sayed’s anti-Israel rhetoric, claiming it endangers his community.
“When he says genocide repeatedly and refuses to condemn offensive remarks, he puts communities at risk,”
Turkish commented.
El-Sayed, a known critic of Israel, described the conflict in Gaza as a genocide. Israel counters this claim, asserting its actions target terrorists while aiming to minimize civilian harm. Turkish reported that El-Sayed’s rhetoric increases antisemitic threats.
Further adding to tensions, Turkish criticized El-Sayed’s association with California streamer Hasan Piker and the candidate’s refusal to disavow Piker’s contentious past comments related to 9/11.
Turkish remarked,
“Abdul’s responses often include equivocations to justify hate, which is unacceptable.”
Describing his decision as prioritizing “country before party,” Turkish, who has donated to both Democrats and Republicans, endorsed Rogers. At a Rogers campaign event, the candidate also stressed the need to prioritize national security.
Recently, another key figure from Stevens’ circle, former campaign chair David Kramer, expressed his intent to support Rogers. Despite endorsing El-Sayed after a tight primary, Stevens has not publicly campaigned with him since a unity breakfast.
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