Haley Stevens’ fiance faces shocking ‘emotionally abusive’ allegations after Mike Rogers endorsement: ‘My fiance has his own views’

Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens has pushed back against backlash surrounding her surprise endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, insisting that the decision was entirely her own. Rep. Haley Stevens defended her surprise endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers, saying she made the choice herself.

(AP Photo/Jose Juarez)Stevens issued the response after some critics suggested that her fiancé, Jason Turkish, may have influenced her political stance. The controversy emerged following Turkish’s comments to The Detroit News on Wednesday, when he expressed support for Rogers and criticised Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s remarks concerning Israel.

Days later, Stevens publicly endorsed Rogers on the Sunday before Election Day. The endorsement came after she attended a church service in Detroit alongside the Republican candidate, drawing attention and sparking debate among Democrats.

Allies of Stevens have raised serious concerns about Turkish, following her unexpected endorsement of Rogers. Stevens’ friend Jordan Acker alleged that Turkish had taken away the congresswoman’s phone, an accusation Turkish has denied.

Meanwhile, former Stevens consultant Cailin Legacki described the couple’s relationship as “absolutely toxic” and claimed that people close to Stevens had feared it was “emotionally abusive.” Acker, a University of Michigan regent, shared his concerns in a lengthy post on X on Sunday, saying he had become “deeply troubled” by Turkish’s behaviour.

According to Acker, he had spoken with Stevens several times on Saturday. He said the congresswoman had said at 8:58 a.m. Sunday that she intended to remain silent, making her subsequent appearance with Rogers particularly surprising.

“I don’t know what changed in the two hours that followed,” Acker wrote. He further mentioned that he had heard troubling accounts of Turkish’s treatment of Stevens’ staff, friends and political allies, adding that his own experiences had further heightened his concerns.

In a statement posted on X late Monday, Stevens dismissed suggestions that her fiancé or anyone else had made the decision on her behalf. She argued that such criticism reflected a sexist assumption that women in public office cannot independently make controversial political choices.

Stevens emphasised that she and Turkish hold their own political opinions, maintaining that her endorsement reflected her personal convictions rather than outside pressure. "Think about what that says. A woman can serve in Congress, run statewide, and fight for her convictions, and still be told that when she makes a choice people dislike, someone else must be pulling the strings." “That is sexism dressed up as political analysis,” Stevens added.

“My fiancé has his own views. I have mine. I made this decision, and I am proud of it. Do not question my independence simply because you disagree with my conclusion.” Stevens’ endorsement came in the final days of the Senate campaign, despite a New York Times poll released on Sunday showing El-Sayed holding a substantial lead over Rogers, with 53 percent support compared to Rogers’ 42 percent.

Meanwhile, El-Sayed received a record-breaking surge in donations on Sunday, reflecting strong financial support for his campaign. If elected, he would make history as the first Muslim to serve in the US Senate. Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics.

She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events.

Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics.

In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World.

Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC).

She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh.

She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More