Crypto PAC-supported candidates sweep US state primaries after media buys
Crypto industry-backed PACs helped drive primary wins for Democrats and Republicans in California, New Jersey, and South Dakota after spending about $3.5 million on ads through Protect Progress and Defend American Jobs, both linked to Fairshake. Fairshake, funded largely by Coinbase and Ripple Labs, said it wants lawmakers who will create “responsible guardrails” for crypto. The spending follows similar efforts in Texas primaries, where several backed candidates also won. Fairshake is now targeting Maryland, where Protect Progress has spent more than $3.1 million to support Democrat Adrian Boafo in the June 23 primary. Separately, crypto leaders launched a new hybrid PAC, Defend Developers, to back lawmakers who support “developer protections” and crypto builders. Its founders say developers face too much regulatory uncertainty. No spending has yet been reported for the new PAC.
