He Stood With Us When It Mattered — Now It Is Our Turn: Why Every Turkish American Must Support Congressman Jack Bergman
Washington, D.C. / Michigan — In Turkish culture, there is a word that carries more weight than almost any other: dost. Not just a friend. Not just an ally. A dost is someone who stands beside you when the crowd turns away. Someone who remembers you when it is not easy or convenient to do so. Someone whose loyalty is proven not by words, but by action.
Congressman Jack Bergman is that person for the Turkish American community.
And right now — with his 2026 primary on August 4 and the general election on November 3 — he needs us the way we have needed him.
Who Is Jack Bergman? A Man Built on Honor and Service
Before Jack Bergman ever walked into the halls of Congress, he spent 40 years serving the United States of America in uniform.
He is a retired Lieutenant General of the United States Marine Corps — the highest-ranking military official ever elected to the U.S. Congress. He flew combat helicopters. He commanded Marines in war. He oversaw the mobilization of tens of thousands of reserve forces during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He wore his nation’s uniform from 1969 to 2009 — four decades of sacrifice, discipline, and devotion. Then, in 2017, he took off that uniform and put on a suit — and walked into Congress representing the people of Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, which covers the entire Upper Peninsula and the northern reaches of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
He is not a politician who stumbled into power. He is a warrior who chose to serve his community in a different way. And that distinction matters enormously — because people who have lived by a code of honor do not abandon it when the political winds shift
What Has Jack Bergman Done for Türkiye and Turkish Americans?
In Washington, D.C., there are 535 members of Congress. Many of them do not know Türkiye exists beyond a geography question. Some of them actively work against Turkey’s interests — accepting donations from Greek American and Armenian American lobbying groups, signing letters opposing F-35 sales, pushing for sanctions. Jack Bergman is not one of those members.
He joined the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Türkiye Relations and Turkish Americans — a formal commitment that puts him in a group of lawmakers who are dedicated to strengthening the bond between the United States and Türkiye, and to making sure the Turkish American community has a real voice in Congress.
He serves on the House Armed Services Committee — the most powerful defense policy body in the U.S. government. This is the committee that decides whether Turkey gets the F-35. This is the committee that shapes NATO policy, arms sales, and defense partnerships. Having a member who understands Türkiye’s strategic value on this committee is not a small thing. It is everything.
He has been endorsed by TCUSAPAC — your organization. The Turkish Coalition USA PAC does not endorse candidates lightly. Every candidate on the TCUSAPAC list has been evaluated, vetted, and selected because their record and their character show genuine alignment with Turkish American values and interests.
He has Donald Trump’s endorsement — which, at this specific moment in history, when Trump is the one lifting sanctions on Turkey, opening the F-35 door, and calling Erdoğan a valued ally, means that Jack Bergman is politically aligned with the most pro-Turkey American administration in a generation.
Why This Election Is Critical — And Why We Cannot Afford to Lose Him
The 2026 election is not just another cycle. The United States and Türkiye are at a historic turning point. The sanctions have been lifted. The F-35 conversation has begun. A $100 billion trade goal has been set. Turkish companies are investing in America. American energy is flowing to Türkiye. The work of years — of countless meetings, letters, advocacy campaigns, and donations — is finally bearing fruit. This is precisely the moment when our opponents will fight back hardest. Greek American lobbying groups. Armenian American advocacy organizations. Pro-Israel pressure groups that oppose any improvement in U.S.-Turkey relations. They are organized, they are funded, and they are watching every congressional race in 2026 to try to replace friends like Jack Bergman with members who will slow down or reverse everything that has been accomplished. Jack Bergman represents a “Solid R” district according to the Cook Political Report — meaning he is expected to win the general election. But he faces a Republican primary on August 4, 2026, and primary elections are won or lost by turnout, organization, and money. Challengers who do not share his commitment to Türkiye and Turkish Americans are already in the race. If we do not act now — before the primary — we risk losing a trusted voice at a critical moment.
The Turkish American Way: We Do Not Forget Those Who Stand With Us
In our culture, loyalty is sacred. We have a saying — “İyilik yap, denize at; balık bilmese de Hâlık bilir” — Do good and throw it into the sea; if the fish don’t know, God knows. But in politics, we cannot afford to simply do good and wait for others to notice. We must be visible. We must be organized. We must show the rest of Washington that the Turkish American community remembers — and rewards — those who stand with us. When a member of Congress joins the Turkey Caucus, sits on the Armed Services Committee, earns the TCUSAPAC endorsement, and fights for a stronger U.S.-Türkiye relationship — they are taking a political risk. They are making themselves a target for communities that oppose Turkey. They are spending political capital that they could save by simply staying silent.
Jack Bergman does not stay silent. He acts.And now, we must act for him.
What Turkish Americans in Every State Can Do Right Now
You do not have to live in Michigan to make a difference. Political donations from Turkish Americans across the country send a message to every member of Congress: this community is organized, this community is engaged, and this community shows up for the people who show up for us.
When a congressman sees that Turkish Americans in New York, Texas, California, Florida, and Illinois all donated to support a Michigan congressman who stood for Türkiye — that is a signal that echoes through the entire Capitol building.
Every member of Congress notices. Every staffer takes note. Every future candidate who is considering whether to join the Turkey Caucus, whether to vote against anti-Turkey legislation, whether to stand up in a hearing and speak favorably about Türkiye — they all watch how the Turkish American community treats its friends.
Do we reward loyalty? Do we protect the people who protect us? Do we fight for the people who fight for us?
This is our chance to answer those questions with action, not just words.
Stand With Jack Bergman — Make Your Donation Today
Donating to Congressman Jack Bergman’s campaign is one of the most direct and powerful things you can do right now to protect and advance Turkish American interests in Washington. Your donation — no matter the size — tells Congress that Turkish Americans are serious. It helps fund the campaign infrastructure that wins primary elections. It sends a signal of solidarity that stretches far beyond Michigan’s borders.
Every dollar you give is a vote for a stronger U.S.-Türkiye relationship.
Every dollar you give is a vote for a Turkey Caucus member on the Armed Services Committee.
Every dollar you give is a vote of loyalty — and in Turkish culture, loyalty is never forgotten.
You Can Donate Directly Here:
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO CONGRESSMAN JACK BERGMAN
Donations of any amount are welcome and meaningful. Even $25 or $50 from hundreds of Turkish Americans across the country creates a powerful, visible show of community support.
A Final Word: This Is Bigger Than One Election
The Turkish American community has spent decades being told that Washington does not understand us, that our voices do not matter, that we are too small to make a difference.
We have proved them wrong, again and again.
The CAATSA sanctions have been lifted. The F-35 door is open. The $100 billion trade goal is on the table. Turkish companies are coming to America. American energy is going to Türkiye. None of this happened by accident. It happened because communities like ours showed up, year after year, election after election, donation after donation.
Jack Bergman is part of that story. He is one of the allies who made this moment possible. And he is asking for our help — not with words, but with a campaign that needs resources to fight and win.
A true dost deserves a true dost in return.
Support Congressman Jack Bergman. Support the future of U.S.-Türkiye relations. Support the Turkish American community’s growing power in Washington.
Donate today. Share this article. Make your voice heard.
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