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Christian Menefee defeated longtime Rep. Al Green in the Democratic runoff for Texas’ redrawn 18th Congressional District, ending Green’s two-decade run in Congress and giving crypto-aligned outside spending a clear win in a closely watched House race.
The Associated Press and The Texas Tribune both reported Menefee’s victory on May 26.
Protect Progress Spent More Than $4M for Menefee
The race drew national crypto-industry attention because Protect Progress, a Fairshake-affiliated super PAC, spent more than $4 million to support Menefee. The spending was independent of Menefee’s campaign.
The Texas Tribune reported that Fairshake started 2026 with about $193 million in cash on hand, giving the crypto PAC network major firepower as Congress debates market structure, stablecoins and digital asset oversight.
The Menefee result gives that network another example of crypto-linked spending shaping a Democratic primary contest.
Crypto Policy Split Menefee and Green in Runoff
Crypto was one of the clearest policy contrasts in the runoff. The Texas Tribune reported that Menefee’s campaign site said blockchain could improve trust, transparency and efficiency if paired with rules that protect consumers.
Industry group Stand With Crypto gave Menefee an “A” rating and Green an “F” after Green voted against several crypto bills, including the GENIUS Act. Green made the outside spending a campaign issue. He described himself on the House floor as “unbought” by crypto money.
Redistricting Forced Houston Incumbent Clash
The runoff was created by Republican-led redistricting that pushed Green out of his longtime 9th District and into a contest with Menefee in the new 18th District. The Texas Tribune said the newly drawn district covers both candidates’ Houston-area bases.
That turned the race into a rare incumbent-versus-incumbent Democratic primary, with crypto spending adding a national policy layer to a local redistricting fight.
Democratic Runoff Likely Decided 18th District Seat
Menefee is expected to face Republican Ronald Whitfield in November. The 18th District remains heavily Democratic, making the runoff the decisive contest in practical terms.
For crypto-backed PACs, Menefee’s win is another data point in their effort to shape the next Congress before major digital asset votes. For Green, it marks the end of a long House career after a redistricting fight that turned into one of the cycle’s most visible crypto-money tests.
