Stevens’ Fiance Opposes Candidate El-Sayed, Cites Antisemitism Concerns

The fiancé of Representative Haley Stevens, a Democrat from Michigan, has openly declared he cannot support Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the Michigan Senate, citing accusations of antisemitism. However, Stevens continues to endorse El-Sayed’s Senate campaign.

Jason Turkish, a registered Democrat of Jewish background, expressed his plans to vote for Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee. On Wednesday night, Turkish attended a Rogers event in Birmingham, Michigan, organized by the Republican Jewish Coalition.

“I waited and hoped for Abdul to moderate his stance, but he hasn’t; instead, his rhetoric has intensified,” Turkish stated during an event, speaking to reporters as covered by The Detroit News.

Turkish asserts that El-Sayed’s campaign has become increasingly divisive, accusing him of further polarizing communities. Despite these remarks, Stevens maintains her support for El-Sayed, who defeated her in a tightly contested primary earlier this year.

Turkish’s Concerns on Safety and Antisemitism

Turkish stresses that El-Sayed’s views, particularly concerning Israel, undermine community safety. He points to El-Sayed’s labeling of actions in Gaza as “genocide” and his failure to denounce ads that blame Jews for high banana prices as examples of harmful rhetoric.

“Each time genocide is mentioned, there are threats against Jews,” Turkish noted, expressing unprecedented concerns for a U.S. Senate candidate’s impact on Jewish safety.

El-Sayed has been a notable critic of Israel, referring to the Gaza conflict in stark terms. The Israeli government disputes such claims, emphasizing efforts to avoid civilian harm.

Contention Over Public Statements and Associations

Turkish criticized El-Sayed’s links with Hasan Piker, a California-based streamer criticized for past comments about 9/11. Turkish noted El-Sayed’s defensive responses to media inquiries regarding Piker.

Turkish described his voting decision as prioritizing the country’s well-being over partisan allegiance.

Recently, another of Stevens’ close associates, David Kramer, also endorsed Rogers over El-Sayed. Though Stevens backed El-Sayed post-primary, she has avoided actively campaigning with him beyond a unity breakfast event.