Michigan Democratic congresswoman Haley Stevens has faced accusations that her fiancé, Jason Turkish, influenced her decision to abandon Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and publicly endorse Republican Mike Rogers just days before the midterm elections.
Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the Democratic primary, announced her support for Rogers on Sunday during an appearance at Detroit’s Perfecting Church.
The unexpected endorsement triggered a major fallout within her former campaign, with most of her Capitol Hill staff reportedly resigning after learning about her decision through social media.
Former Michigan Governor Jim Blanchard, a longtime friend and supporter of Stevens, suggested that Turkish played a central role in her political reversal.
Blanchard Describes Tense Dinner Before Endorsement
Blanchard said he had dinner with Stevens on Friday, when she was still supporting El-Sayed.
However, he alleged that Turkish, who had already endorsed Rogers, was attempting to persuade his fiancée to change her position.
Speaking to Gongwer News Service, Blanchard said Turkish had been reminding Stevens that Democratic supporters were disappointed with her decision to endorse El-Sayed immediately after losing the primary.
“He was working her over,” Blanchard said, describing the conversation.
Blanchard recalled challenging Turkish’s position, arguing that Stevens had acted appropriately by supporting the party’s nominee despite her primary defeat.
He said he told Turkish that Stevens was a team player and should be allowed to demonstrate graciousness towards the candidate who defeated her.
However, Turkish reportedly maintained that Democratic supporters were disappointed with her.
Blanchard also said he warned Stevens that her fiancé was not a good influence, but she reassured him by responding, “I’m fine.”
Fiancé Raises Concerns Over El-Sayed’s Comments on Israel
Turkish, a Jewish attorney and Democrat, had publicly declared his intention to vote for Republican candidate Mike Rogers the previous Wednesday.
He criticised El-Sayed’s campaign rhetoric, describing it as reckless and arguing that it placed Jewish people at risk.
Turkish said he would put country before party and claimed he would feel less safe if El-Sayed won the election.
He also accused the Democratic nominee of encouraging antisemitic threats and failing to condemn controversial campaign advertisements linking American assistance to Israel with rising grocery prices.
El-Sayed, who has been a vocal critic of Israel, previously campaigned alongside Hasan Piker, whose public comments have attracted accusations of antisemitism and prompted concern among sections of Michigan’s Jewish community.
Stevens Sends Affectionate Message Before Announcing Endorsement
Blanchard said he received a text message from Stevens during the early hours following their Friday dinner.
According to the former governor, the message read: “I love you…”
However, just hours later, Stevens appeared alongside Rogers at Perfecting Church in Detroit, where she participated enthusiastically in the service before announcing her endorsement.
Blanchard described the sudden change as unexpected, saying: “Something snapped in her. And it snapped in 24 hours. And I don’t know what.”
Stevens Defends Her Decision and Criticises El-Sayed
Following the church service, Stevens addressed reporters and supporters at a press conference, confirming that she would vote for Rogers.
She acknowledged that her household had been divided over the Senate contest until the previous night, when she said she finally reached a decision.
“My vote will be with Mike Rogers. Because we have to stand with country.
We cannot stand for hate. Abdul was very clear when he said ‘don’t come,'” Stevens said.
She also insisted that her decision was final when questioned about her sudden change of position during a Sunday night interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
“My mind is made up, I’m rock solid. I’m an independent woman, I made my decision,” she declared.
Stevens further argued that the election was about leadership and integrity, adding that voters could examine the facts surrounding the candidates.
Rogers welcomed the endorsement, saying he was honoured to have Stevens’ support and vote.
He also admitted that he was happy not to be running against her.
The announcement was interrupted by a protester who shouted, “Haley Stevens is a traitor!”
Controversial Campaign Advertisement Adds to Democratic Dispute
The disagreement between Stevens and El-Sayed has also centred on a controversial advertisement that drew criticism from members of Michigan’s Jewish community.
The advert featured conversations in a grocery store, including a scene in which a woman told a man she could not afford eggs because the money had been spent “killing Palestinians.”
El-Sayed’s campaign distanced itself from the advertisement, stating that it had neither produced nor endorsed the material.
The campaign maintained that its focus remained on addressing the most pressing challenges facing Michigan residents.
El-Sayed also told reporters on Saturday that he did not agree with the advertisement’s contents.
El-Sayed Dismisses Questions About Stevens’ Endorsement
El-Sayed addressed reporters on Sunday afternoon for the first time since Stevens announced her support for Rogers.
When questioned about the development, he appeared unwilling to engage in an extended discussion about his former primary opponent.
“At the end of the day, I actually don’t think about Haley Stevens,” he said.
He added that his campaign was focused on addressing problems affecting Michigan residents and invited reporters to ask questions about the issues facing the state.
Despite Stevens’ endorsement of his Republican opponent, El-Sayed entered Tuesday’s election with an advantage in the polls.
A New York Times/Siena survey released on Sunday placed him 11 percentage points ahead of Rogers, with 53 per cent support compared with Rogers’ 42 per cent.
However, CNN’s polling average showed a narrower five-point lead.
Most of the recent surveys had been completed before Stevens announced her endorsement on Sunday.
Trump Welcomes Stevens’ Move and Invites Her to Join Republicans
President Donald Trump also weighed in on Stevens’ decision, celebrating her endorsement of Rogers in a post on Truth Social.
Trump described the congresswoman as a highly respected Democrat who had narrowly lost the party’s Senate primary to El-Sayed.
He also criticised Democrats for their efforts to secure her support for the party’s Senate campaign against Rogers.
Trump concluded his reaction by highlighting Stevens’ endorsement of the Republican candidate and inviting her to join the Republican Party.
