A political action committee affiliated with Fairshake, a prominent pro-cryptocurrency organization, has directed nearly $1 million in advertising to sway voters in Michigan’s 13th congressional district ahead of the Democratic primary.
Focus on Michigan’s 13th district
According to US Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings as of Tuesday, Protect Progress PAC allocated more than $986,000 for media campaigns supporting Democratic incumbent Shri Thanedar while targeting his challenger, Donavan McKinney. These expenditures come just two weeks before the upcoming August 4 primary, where candidates will contest the Democratic nomination for November’s general election.
Protect Progress deployed a similar strategy in 2024, investing approximately $1 million to boost Thanedar’s campaign. That year, Thanedar secured 54.9% of the primary vote and went on to win the general election with 68.6% against his Republican and third-party opponents.
Fairshake, established as a well-funded voice for cryptocurrency interests in US politics, reported holding $191 million intended for campaign efforts in key races. Protect Progress is among several PACs working within the crypto industry to support candidates favoring digital assets and blockchain-friendly legislation.
Mini dictionary: Fairshake is a political action committee focused on advancing pro-crypto candidates and legislation in US federal elections.
Industry-backed funding and allied PACs
Protect Progress is not alone in its mission. Other crypto-aligned political committees include Fellowship, supported by Cantor Fitzgerald and Anchorage Digital, and the Blockchain Leadership Fund, backed by Anchorage and Chainlink Labs. All share the goal of electing candidates seen as favorable to the digital assets industry.
While Thanedar has a record of backing pro-crypto legislation—including his votes for the CLARITY Act, GENIUS Act, and Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act—McKinney has not previously faced Thanedar in an election and has yet to make prominent statements for or against crypto policy. Thanedar also reported a significant financial loss in 2026, when he invested $3.7 million in campaign funds in crypto companies and lost more than $600,000 during the second quarter.
“Shri has voted for every bill [Donald] Trump and the crypto lobby have brought to Congress,” stated McKinney, in response to the PAC’s media spending in the district.
Spending expands to multiple states
Beyond Michigan, Protect Progress has also committed over $100,000 in support of Arizona Representative Greg Stanton, another Democrat with a pro-crypto voting record. Stanton won his primary for Arizona’s 4th congressional district, securing 65% of the vote after backing both the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts in the House of Representatives.
| State | Candidate Supported | PAC Spending | Recent Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan (13th) | Shri Thanedar | $986,000 | Primary on Aug. 4 |
| Arizona (4th) | Greg Stanton | $100,000 | 65% in primary |
| Washington (4th) | Amanda McKinney | $65,000 | Primary on Aug. 4 |
In Washington state, Defend American Jobs PAC, affiliated with Fairshake, spent more than $65,000 on media to boost Republican Amanda McKinney’s campaign in the 4th congressional district. Amanda McKinney has publicly expressed support for cryptocurrency initiatives. The seat became open after Representative Dan Newhouse announced in 2025 he would not seek another term.
These efforts underscore the growing influence of cryptocurrency-backed political funding in the US, with Fairshake and its partners seeking to shape the composition of the next Congress by supporting candidates open to blockchain technologies and digital assets.
