Protect Progress, a cryptocurrency-aligned PAC backed by Fairshake, deployed over $4 million to support Democratic candidate Jasmine Clark in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District primary on May 20, 2026. The spending represents the latest test of crypto industry’s political muscle after Fairshake spent $130 million in 2024, helping elect what Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong called “the most pro-crypto Congress ever.” Clark completed a Stand With Crypto questionnaire and received ratings supporting “clear legislative and regulatory frameworks for digital assets,” though she deleted a March social media post describing crypto as providing “financial tools for unbanked communities.”
Crypto PACs Deploy Record Spending in 2026 Races
Fairshake and its affiliated PACs—Protect Progress and Defend American Jobs—are systematically funding pro-crypto candidates while opposing crypto-skeptical representatives in 2026 midterm elections. The $4.2 million in FEC-reported media spending for Clark marks the PAC’s largest single candidate investment this cycle. This follows Protect Progress spending $2.8 million to oppose Texas Representative Al Green in March, and $2.8 million to support Christian Menefee in the same race. Green voted against the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act, both backed by the crypto industry. Menefee received 46% of the vote in the March primary; Green took 44%, setting up a May 26 runoff.
Crypto Spending Shows Mixed Electoral Results
While crypto PACs achieved major victories in 2024, 2026 results suggest limits to their influence. Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won her Democratic primary despite Fairshake spending $8 million to oppose her—she captured 40% of the vote. The crypto industry has not disclosed its preferred candidate in Georgia’s 13th District race, and no outcome data was available at publication. Stand With Crypto executive director Mason Lynaugh stated the organization aims to “give our advocates the tools they need to make sure that they make an informed vote,” framing the spending as voter education rather than pure opposition research.
Shifting Regulatory Posture in Congress
Crypto PAC spending directly targets congressional votes on digital asset regulation. The 2024 cycle produced a Congress willing to advance industry-backed legislation like the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act. Representatives who voted against these bills—like Al Green—became targets in 2026. Clark’s completion of Stand With Crypto’s questionnaire signals alignment with industry priorities on regulatory clarity. However, her deletion of the March crypto post raises questions about whether candidates are repositioning after crypto PAC support, or whether the PACs are adjusting messaging around digital assets in competitive districts where crypto remains polarizing.
Next Moves in Crypto’s Political Playbook
The Georgia primary outcome will clarify whether $4 million in crypto PAC spending translates to electoral power in non-incumbent races. Fairshake’s $130 million 2024 investment produced measurable congressional gains; 2026 spending will test whether that model scales to lower-profile primaries. The Texas runoff between Menefee and Green is scheduled for May 26, offering another immediate data point on crypto PAC effectiveness in competitive races.
