Crypto PAC Spends $4.2M Backing Jasmine Clark

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Protect Progress has spent more than $4.2 million backing Georgia state Rep. Jasmine Clark ahead of the May 19 Democratic primary for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.

The Fairshake-linked super PAC supports Democratic candidates viewed as aligned with crypto policy priorities. Its spending for Clark has made the race an early test of whether crypto-backed outside money can shape Democratic House primaries.

$4.2M Media Buy Boosts Clark Before May 19 Primary 

Clark is running in a crowded Democratic primary, and the scale of outside spending has quickly raised the profile of her campaign. Protect Progress has spent the money on media support ahead of Tuesday’s vote, according to reports tracking the race.

The Georgia contest comes as Congress debates the CLARITY Act, the market structure bill that would define how digital assets are regulated and split oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

For crypto PACs, the race offers a direct test of whether heavy spending can help elect lawmakers seen as more supportive of digital asset legislation.

Fairshake Network Expands Early 2026 Spending 

Protect Progress is part of the wider Fairshake political network, which also includes the Republican-aligned Defend American Jobs. Fairshake-linked PACs recently disclosed $7.2 million in spending across five states, including Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Nebraska and Kentucky.

Earlier filings showed Protect Progress had spent about $1.6 million combined for Clark and Texas Democrat Christian Menefee. More recent FEC-tracked spending puts support for Clark alone above $4.2 million.

The spending shows the crypto industry is moving early in the 2026 cycle, with PACs trying to influence primaries before the general election stage.

May 19 Vote Tests Protect Progress Strategy 

The May 19 vote will show whether Protect Progress’ media push can translate into support for Clark in a competitive Democratic field. Primary races can be important targets for outside groups because the winner often enters the general election with a strong partisan advantage, depending on the district.

The strategy also carries risk. Heavy backing from a crypto-focused PAC could draw scrutiny from voters who may question why the industry is spending aggressively in a House primary.

For Fairshake and its affiliates, Georgia’s 13th District is now a key early measure of their 2026 strategy. The result will show whether crypto PAC spending can carry influence in Democratic primaries as the industry pushes for friendlier digital asset rules in Washington.