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Key Takeaways
- Crypto PACs spent over $9 million in Texas primaries, with Fairshake’s Democratic affiliate Protect Progress backing Christian Menefee, who defeated incumbent Rep. Al Green.
- Fairshake’s Republican affiliate Defend American Jobs spent roughly $1.8 million backing four winning Republican candidates in separate runoffs, while Fellowship PAC independently contributed $500,000 to Ken Paxton’s successful Senate primary campaign against John Cornyn.
- Fairshake spokesperson Geoff Vetter signaled the PAC intends to expand its national footprint, citing the Texas results as proof that opposition to crypto carries real electoral consequences.
Crypto-focused political committees spent more than $9 million in Texas this cycle, backing winning candidates across both parties, including Houston Democrat Christian Menefee. Menefee defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Green, a vocal crypto critic rated “F” by advocacy group Stand With Crypto, in a Democratic primary runoff.
Menefee Defeats Green in Texas 18th After Republican Redistricting Forced the Matchup
Green, a House Financial Services Committee member, had opposed key industry-backed legislation and warned that cryptocurrency could erode U.S. financial leverage abroad, earning his “F” rating from Stand With Crypto.
Republican-led redistricting reshaped Green’s district, forcing the matchup in Texas’s 18th Congressional District. Fairshake spokesperson Geoff Vetter attributed the outcome directly to the PAC’s involvement. Vetter said in an interview:
“Rep. Green’s defeat proves that anti-crypto hostility carries real electoral consequences. Fairshake was the difference-maker in this race, and we will continue to aggressively back leaders like Rep. Menefee across the country.”
The claim that Fairshake was decisive in the race reflects the PAC’s own assessment and has not been independently verified.
Fairshake Affiliates and Fellowship PAC Back Paxton and Four Republican Runoff Winners
On the Republican side, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton toppled longtime Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary. Fellowship PAC, a separate crypto-focused political committee, supported Paxton with $500,000.
Fairshake’s Republican affiliate, Defend American Jobs, spent roughly $1.8 million backing four winning Republican candidates in separate runoffs: Jon Bonck ($348,433), Tom Sell ($426,279), Carlos De La Cruz ($581,172), and Alex Mealer ($436,278).
All four districts are considered reliably Republican in November general elections, according to sources. Fairshake’s Democratic counterpart, Protect Progress, backed candidates on the opposite side of the aisle.
Fairshake Signals National Expansion Following Texas Results
Vetter said Fairshake intends to continue backing industry-aligned candidates nationally, pointing to Menefee’s primary win as evidence of the PAC’s electoral impact. Defend American Jobs and Protect Progress each deployed funds in Texas across their respective parties, while Fellowship PAC’s $500,000 contribution to Paxton’s Senate campaign operated independently of the Fairshake network’s activity in Texas.
