Georgia race draws crypto PAC spending in U.S. House primary

Traders Union
All News
Crypto News
Georgia race draws crypto PAC spending

Highlights

Protect Progress PAC, linked to the Fairshake network, spent over $4.2 million supporting Jasmine Clark in Georgia's 13th Congressional District Democratic primary.
In Texas's 18th Congressional District, Protect Progress spent more than $2.8 million opposing Al Green and about the same backing Christian Menefee ahead of the May 26 runoff.
In 2024, Fairshake spent over $130 million on media and advertising to back pro-crypto Congressional candidates, signaling intensifying lobbying in key election cycles.

Georgia primary spending and campaign positioning

As reported by Federal Election Commission data cited in the article, Protect Progress, a political action committee affiliated with the cryptocurrency company-backed Fairshake network, has spent more than $4.2 million on media to support Georgia state representative Jasmine Clark ahead of Tuesday’s primary.

Clark is competing among Democrats for the state’s 13th Congressional District. Crypto-aligned groups are trying to shape voter decisions in key races, and Clark has been identified by Coinbase-aligned organization Stand With Crypto as a candidate supportive of clearer legislative and regulatory frameworks for digital assets in the United States.

The article says Clark appeared to have deleted a March social media post saying digital assets are the future and can provide financial tools for unbanked communities. Protect Progress and affiliated groups including Fairshake and Defend American Jobs are expected to spend millions of dollars in 2026 to back candidates they view as advancing pro-crypto policies and to oppose those who do not.

That effort follows heavy spending in prior cycles. In 2024, Fairshake spent more than $130 million on media and advertising, contributing to what Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong described as the most pro-crypto Congress ever.

Broader election impact for crypto lobbying

Not every race has delivered the outcome sought by Fairshake and related groups. The article notes that the PAC reportedly spent $8 million opposing Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton in a U.S. Senate primary, but more than 40% of voters chose her in March over candidates supported by Fairshake and Protect Progress-backed advertising.

Mason Lynaugh, executive director of Stand With Crypto, told Cointelegraph the organization plans to equip its advocates to cast informed ballots for candidates they see as pro-crypto. He said that if supporters make their voices heard, Congress will become more supportive of crypto policy than in the past year.

The spending push is also extending to Texas. In the state’s 18th Congressional District, voters next week are set to decide between Representative Al Green and Democratic candidate Christian Menefee in a runoff on May 26 after Menefee won 46% in the March primary to Green’s 44%.

Federal Election Commission filings showed Protect Progress spent more than $2.8 million on media opposing Green, who voted against legislation broadly supported by the industry, including the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act. The PAC also spent about the same amount supporting Menefee, who has publicly backed blockchain technology.

Our earlier report on House Agriculture Committee calls to fill CFTC vacancies explained how Chairman Glenn Thompson and Ranking Member Angie Craig urged President Trump to nominate additional commissioners to restore a fully staffed, bipartisan panel. The piece highlighted lawmakers’ argument that completing the commission is critical for effective oversight and policy execution in U.S. derivatives markets, reinforcing market integrity and U.S. leadership in financial regulation.

This material may contain third-party opinions, none of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer. While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners.