Jason Turkish, a Detroit‑area lawyer and the fiancé of Rep. Haley Stevens (D‑MI), publicly declared his intention to vote for Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers. Turkish made the announcement at a Rogers fundraiser hosted by the Republican Jewish Coalition on Wednesday night at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan.

Why Turkish is breaking with his party

Turkish, who is registered as a Democrat, said he could not support Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed because he believes El‑Sayed is an antisemite. “I waited, and I watched and I listened for Abdul to moderate – but he didn’t moderate, he escalated,” Turkish told reporters, adding that El‑Sayed’s repeated references to a “genocide” in Gaza and refusal to condemn an advertisement blaming Jews for the price of bananas have made his community feel less safe.

Stevens remains supportive of El‑Sayed

Despite Turkish’s concerns, Rep. Stevens has not changed her stance. She told CNN that, like many households across America, her family feels “a house divided,” but she still wants the Democratic nominee to win, emphasizing the high stakes of the race for Michigan.

Broader concerns among Jewish voters

Turkish’s comments echo a broader unease among some Jewish Democrats in Michigan. He warned that El‑Sayed’s anti‑Israel rhetoric could embolden radicals and increase threats against the Jewish community. “Every time he talks about genocide, Jews get death threats,” Turkish said.

Rogers’ response

Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, speaking at the same event, did not directly reference Turkish’s vote but reiterated his own criticism of El‑Sayed, stating, “If you don’t know Iran is our enemy and you can’t condemn a Hezbollah‑inspired attack, you have no business being in the United States Senate.”

Other notable endorsements

Turkish is the second prominent figure from Stevens’ circle to back Rogers. Former campaign chair David Kramer also announced his intention to vote for the Republican nominee. Stevens herself endorsed El‑Sayed after the primary but has not publicly campaigned with him since a brief unity breakfast.

Implications for the Senate race

The Michigan Senate race remains tightly contested, with both candidates seeking to solidify support among diverse voter groups. Turkish’s decision highlights the potential for intra‑party divisions, especially on foreign‑policy issues that resonate with faith‑based and community constituencies.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.