Political action committees (PACs) focused on the cryptocurrency industry in Texas spent over $9 million supporting candidates from both parties during this year’s election cycle. On Tuesday, candidates backed by the crypto sector scored significant victories in the state’s primary elections, underlining the growing influence of digital asset interests in American politics.
Crypto-aligned candidates gain momentum
One of the most notable races took place between Houston Democrat Christian Menefee and Democratic Representative Al Green. In the Democratic primary for Texas’s 18th Congressional District, Menefee emerged victorious. Redistricting led by Republicans had effectively dissolved Green’s longstanding seat, forcing him to compete in unfamiliar territory against a formidable opponent.
Al Green, a member of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, was recognized for supporting legislation seen as hostile to the crypto sector. The crypto advocacy group Stand With Crypto gave Green an “F” rating for his positions, citing his belief that digital assets threaten U.S. global financial dominance.
Geoff Vetter, spokesperson for Fairshake, explained to CoinDesk: “Representative Green’s defeat proves there are real electoral consequences for opposing the crypto industry. Fairshake played a decisive role in this race, and we’re committed to backing leaders like Christian Menefee nationwide.”
With a series of consecutive primary wins, crypto-backed candidates demonstrated the sector’s strategic investments in both Republican and Democratic races across Texas.
Bipartisan support from crypto committees
In the Republican Senate primaries, Attorney General Ken Paxton overtook longtime Senator John Cornyn. On the Democratic side, Fairshake’s allies—Protect Progress for Democrats and Defend American Jobs for Republicans—channeled funds to candidates in both parties. Additionally, the politically independent, crypto-focused Fellowship PAC contributed $500,000 to Paxton’s campaign.
Defend American Jobs spent a total of $1.8 million on Republican candidates Jon Bonck, Tom Sell, Carlos De La Cruz, and Alex Mealer in Texas races with low voter turnout. All four emerged as frontrunners, effectively securing nominations for the November general election.
Mini glossary: Fairshake is a bipartisan political action committee funded by the crypto industry in the U.S., providing direct support to candidates and aiming to influence policymakers.
| Candidate/Organization | Support Received | Race |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Menefee | Fairshake | Texas 18th Congressional District |
| Ken Paxton | Fellowship PAC, Fairshake | Republican Senate Primary |
| Jon Bonck | $348,433 (Defend American Jobs) | Low-turnout Republican Primary |
| Tom Sell | $426,279 (Defend American Jobs) | Low-turnout Republican Primary |
| Carlos De La Cruz | $581,172 (Defend American Jobs) | Low-turnout Republican Primary |
| Alex Mealer | $436,278 (Defend American Jobs) | Low-turnout Republican Primary |
Signaling a new phase for 2026 elections
The outcomes of Texas’ primary elections demonstrated that groups aligned with the crypto industry have significant financial muscle and strategic sway. Industry representatives made it clear they are preparing for even greater political influence in the 2026 congressional midterms. The possibility—albeit slim—remains for Democrats to regain control of both the House and Senate in those elections.
The results underscore the increasing reach of crypto-focused PACs, which are intensifying efforts across party lines and are expected to broaden their impact in upcoming campaigns.
