Crypto-backed Michigan House incumbent loses primary despite $2M PAC support
Michigan State Rep. Donavan McKinney defeated incumbent Democrat Shri Thanedar in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District primary, winning 51.9% to 48.1%. The race drew heavy spending from crypto-linked PACs, especially Protect Progress, which spent over $2 million to support Thanedar and oppose McKinney. Protect Progress is affiliated with Fairshake, backed mainly by Coinbase and Ripple. McKinney, a progressive backed by the DNC and Democratic Socialists of America, argued the industry was rewarding Thanedar for supporting crypto-friendly legislation. Thanedar had voted for bills such as the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act. McKinney will face Republican Taras Nykoriak in November. The Fairshake network also spent money in other primaries, including supporting a Republican in Washington’s 4th District.
