Haley Stevens’ Endorsement Switch to Mike Rogers Triggers Democratic Backlash at $200,000 Donor Fiancé
Updated
Updated · CNN · Nov 2
Haley Stevens’ Endorsement Switch to Mike Rogers Triggers Democratic Backlash at $200,000 Donor Fiancé
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Nov 2
Summary
Michigan Democrats’ anger over Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers has centered on fiancé Jason Turkish, whom former aides say heavily influenced her failed Senate campaign and backed Rogers before she did.
Less than 1 percentage point separated Stevens from Abdul El-Sayed in August’s Democratic primary, and multiple former staffers told CNN Turkish repeatedly inserted himself into strategy, fundraising and messaging despite efforts to limit his role.
Stevens and Turkish both denied he controlled the endorsement decision, with Stevens calling the criticism “sexism dressed up as political analysis” and Turkish saying he merely shared his views and would not litigate campaign grievances publicly.
The fallout has been swift: Stevens says “I’m exiting stage left,” Michigan Democrats have scrubbed her from the party website, and House Democrats are discussing whether to remove her from the caucus for her final months in office.
Turkish, a legally blind disability-rights lawyer who gave more than $200,000 in federal donations this cycle, describes himself as a lifelong Democrat but broke with the party over this race.