Crypto Super PAC Drops $2M+ in Michigan House Race
A crypto-focused super PAC has significantly increased its ad spending in Michigan's 13th Congressional District ahead of next week's primary election. Protect Progress PAC reported over $2 million in media spending, with nearly $884,240 going towards supporting Rep. Shri Thanedar and more than $150,000 aimed at opposing challenger Donavan McKinney.
The latest filing reflects a rapid acceleration from the amount the PAC reported just a week earlier. Protect Progress is described as an affiliate of Fairshake, a crypto-aligned political operation that has been active in multiple primaries, including races in Washington and Alabama.
Thanedar's record on digital-asset issues aligns with the committee's focus, as he voted in favor of stablecoin-focused legislation known as the GENIUS Act and cosponsored the Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act. McKinney has challenged the premise that the race is driven solely by local issues, arguing that 'the crypto lobby is paying my opponent back' for his support of policy decisions tied to the Trump administration.