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Crypto-backed political action committees tied to Fairshake reported $7.2 million in new media spending across five U.S. states ahead of congressional primaries and runoffs.
The spending came from Protect Progress and Defend American Jobs, two Fairshake-linked PACs that typically support Democrats and Republicans, respectively. The latest buys target races in Georgia, Alabama, Nebraska, Kentucky and Texas.
Protect Progress Spends $1.6M in Georgia and Texas
Protect Progress reported about $1.6 million in combined spending for Jasmine Clark and Christian Menefee.
Clark is running in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District and faces a Democratic primary on May 19. Menefee is running in Texas’ 18th Congressional District and faces a May 26 runoff against Rep. Al Green.
Protect Progress has also committed $1.5 million to oppose Green’s reelection, calling him hostile to Texas’ crypto sector.
Defend American Jobs Spends $5.6M, Including $3.5M for Barr
Defend American Jobs reported $5.6 million in spending across Republican races in Georgia’s 1st and 14th Congressional districts, Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District, and U.S. Senate contests in Alabama and Kentucky.
The largest single beneficiary was Rep. Andy Barr, who is running for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky. Barr received more than $3.5 million in media support from the PAC.
Barr has supported major crypto legislation in Congress, including the GENIUS Act stablecoin law and the CLARITY Act market structure bill.
Fairshake Enters 2026 With $193M War Chest
Fairshake reported holding $193 million as of January and has already spent heavily in 2026 primary races.
Its affiliates previously spent about $514,000 supporting Rep. Jim Baird in Indiana and millions more in Texas and Illinois contests. The latest filings show Fairshake-linked groups are continuing to spend early in races involving lawmakers aligned with digital asset policy priorities.
The spending comes as Congress continues work on the CLARITY Act, which would define broader U.S. digital asset market structure and clarify oversight between the SEC and CFTC.
May 14 CLARITY Markup Raises Stakes
A Senate compromise on stablecoin rewards has helped move the bill forward, and the Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to consider the CLARITY Act on May 14.
The latest PAC spending reflects Fairshake’s stated strategy of supporting pro-crypto candidates and opposing lawmakers it views as hostile to the industry.
For the crypto sector, the immediate focus is on lawmakers who may help shape stablecoin implementation and market structure rules as the 2026 election cycle accelerates.
