Who is Jason Turkish? Haley Stevens fiancé slams Abdul El-Sayed ahead of midterms

Jason Turkish, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens’ fiancé, has made multiple headlines this week after declaring he plans to vote for Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers for the Michigan Senate seat and not El-Sayed, Stevens’ pick. Turkish was also on Fox News on Saturday, going after El-Sayed over a campaign ad ahead of the midterms.

As per a report shared by The Detroit News, Turkish is Jewish and has family roots in Israel. His father was born in Haifa, with family members still living there today. His grandparents fled Europe as Holocaust refugees.

The ad in question suggests that U.S. support for Israel is behind rising costs for Michigan families. Turkish was asked about the ad on Fox News, sharing that

“You know, we spend only a ‘few billion dollars a year,’ and I say that in quotes, on support for a very strategic ally in the Middle East. If we choose not to do that tomorrow, that’s not enough money to solve hunger in America, or healthcare in America, or rebuild our schools in America. But yet, Abdul tells folks that that’s what stands in our way, and it puts Jews at risk.”

(The statements quoted above are Turkish’s own views. All opinions cited throughout this article are included for the purposes of news reporting and do not represent the position of this publication.)

Stevens had confirmed she would be voting for El-Sayed. Turkish, who has donated to candidates from both parties this year, is the President and Managing Partner of Nyman Turkish PC, a litigation and disability law firm with offices in Michigan, California, and Florida.

Haley Stevens and Jason Turkish's friendship that turned into an engagement:

Jason Turkish met Stevens, a four-term congresswoman from Birmingham, after the 2022 election cycle through a mutual friend, David Kramer, who would later go on to chair Stevens’ 2026 Senate campaign. The two first connected over tax-credit legislation Stevens was working on, aimed at making homes more accessible for seniors and people with disabilities. A friendship grew from there.

The pair stayed in regular contact before things turned romantic in early 2026, while Stevens was deep into her Senate campaign. They decided to get married in May but held off on announcing the engagement until after the primary.

As per the report shared by The Detroit News, Jason Turkish is a Democratic donor who has also contributed to GOP candidates, and has said the 2026 race highlighted issues within the Jewish community. Stevens has described herself as a “proud pro-Israel Democrat.” She addressed the divide with her fiancé while speaking on CNN, sharing that

“Like a lot of households across America, we’re a house divided. I still very much want our Democratic nominee, his name is Abdul, to win this race. There’s so much on the line.”

Last month, the couple turned heads when Stevens appeared on TMZ Live and Turkish tagged along. Stevens was visibly excited during the segment, at one point turning to hosts Harvey Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere and saying,

“Isn’t he cute,” she shared.

“His name is Jason and he loves me to pieces,” she added.

Jason Turkish says El-Sayed makes his community less safe as Haley Stevens reveals her growing doubts about the nominee:

During an event held on Oct. 28 at a hotel in Birmingham, Michigan, Jason Turkish elaborated on his support for Mike Rogers. He took aim at El-Sayed, pointing to what he described as divisive rhetoric throughout the general election campaign. Jason Turkish told reporters that El-Sayed has refused to denounce an election TV spot critics have called antisemitic. He then shared that

“He got worse and worse and worse as this general election campaign has gone on. Rather than bringing people together, it’s just driven them further and further apart.”

Jason Turkish also spoke about the ad itself, adding that

“When he refuses to condemn an ad that says Jews are to blame for the price of bananas, he makes my community less safe. He makes a lot of communities less safe.”

(The characterization of the ad and Jason Turkish's views on El-Sayed’s response to it reflect his own assessment. This publication presents these remarks as part of its reporting.)

As per a report shared by The New York Times, Stevens had barely touched her lunch, tuna fish and matzo ball soup, when she stood up from the dining table to talk about losing faith in El-Sayed.

It happened during her state’s first Senate debate in October. El-Sayed was asked whether Iran or Israel posed a greater threat to the United States. He sidestepped the question entirely, dismissing it as a “ridiculous hypothetical.” Stevens was not having it. Speaking to reporters at her home in Birmingham, she got up from the table and raised her voice, sharing that

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“He’s a good speaker. He’s an orator. He is gifted. Then how does that happen? Come on!”

Since that debate, Stevens has done a string of cable television interviews, her commentary on El-Sayed growing more critical with each one. The endorsement she extended has grown shakier by the day, and the moment the two shared at a party unity brunch back in August feels like a long time ago.

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