With the US midterm elections approaching, two political action committees (PACs) linked to Fairshake have disclosed a significant spending spree totaling $2.7 million to back candidates favorable to digital asset policies. The Defend American Jobs and Protect Progress PACs reported expenditures on media and direct mail campaigns to support both Democratic and Republican candidates vying for House of Representatives seats in 2026. Notable recipients included House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson, and Representatives Pete Aguilar and Josh Gottheimer.
The spending detailed in US Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings included over $76,000 for Emmer, $73,000 for Thompson, $512,000 for Aguilar, and $500,000 for Gottheimer. Fairshake, primarily funded by contributions from Cantor Fitzgerald, Coinbase, and Ripple Labs, recently announced plans to endorse an additional 32 House candidates in 2026, with six set to receive $1 million each in supportive media. None of these six were included in the latest expenditures, but some incumbents, such as Emmer, Aguilar, Gottheimer, and Thompson, were on the endorsement list.
As of August, Fairshake reported having $122 million in cash on hand, earmarked for its midterm election strategy aimed at electing more pro-crypto candidates. This includes a substantial allocation of at least $30 million to oppose former banking committee chair Sherrod Brown in Ohio’s Senate race. Brown, a vocal critic of many crypto-friendly bills, has been a key target for Fairshake’s efforts.
The candidates supported by Fairshake’s spending have all voted in favor of the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act in 2025, a bill intended to establish market structure rules for the cryptocurrency industry. The bill, which passed the House with bipartisan support, failed to advance in the Senate after a procedural vote in September. Stand With Crypto, an initiative by Coinbase, has warned that candidates who did not support the CLARITY Act could face repercussions in the upcoming elections, mobilizing crypto-minded voters similarly to the 2024 races.