Crypto PAC Fairshake Puts $1.5 Million Into Three State Primaries After Michigan Defeat

Crypto-backed political action committee Fairshake spent $1.5 million on primaries in Florida, Alaska and Wyoming after a defeat in Michigan.

Cointelegraph reported on August 6 that Fairshake affiliates Defend American Jobs and Protect Progress spent a combined $1.5 million on advertising, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Many of the candidates they backed voted for the CLARITY Act while serving in the House.

Defend American Jobs spent more than $500,000 to support Rep. Nick Begich's re-election bid in Alaska's at-large district ahead of the August 18 primary. It spent similar amounts to back Republican candidate Sidney Gruters in Florida's 16th Congressional District and Rep. Harriet Hageman in Wyoming's Senate race. The Florida and Wyoming primaries are also set for August 18.

The spending followed a loss in Michigan's 13th Congressional District primary. Protect Progress spent more than $2 million backing Democratic incumbent Shri Thanedar, but he lost to state Rep. Donovan McKinney.

On the Democratic side, Protect Progress spent more than $50,000 to support Rep. Lois Frankel's re-election bid in Florida's 23rd Congressional District. Frankel, Begich and Hageman all voted for the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act.

Fairshake spent more than $170 million on House and Senate primaries during the 2024 election cycle, helping shape the makeup of Congress. With all 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats up for election in the 2026 midterms, the outcome of a CLARITY Act vote could directly affect how the crypto industry allocates campaign money.