Written by Turner Wright , Staff Writer.Reviewed by Robert Lakin , Staff Editor.Written by Turner Wright , Staff Writer.Reviewed by Robert Lakin , Staff Editor.Crypto PACs pour $3M into Maryland races as California voters head to polls
Latest NewsPublishedJun 2, 2026An affiliate of a political action committee backed by crypto companies ramped up spending on ads in California ahead of Tuesday’s primaries, but still has millions of dollars at stake in Maryland later this month.
While residents of California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota are voting today in Democratic and Republican Congressional primaries, the cryptocurrency industry is more focused on the Maryland primaries later this month.
According to filings with the US Federal Election Commission (FEC) as of Tuesday, the Coinbase- and Ripple-backed political action committee (PAC) Fairshake affiliate Protect Progress spent about $3 million combined to support Democratic candidates in House races across California and New Jersey. Another affiliate, Defend American Jobs, spent more than $411,000 to support Republican Senator Mike Rounds’ reelection bid in South Dakota.
In addition to its activities in California, Protect Progress appeared to be prepared for significant spending in Maryland, where primary elections are scheduled for June 23.
FEC filings showed the crypto-backed PAC spent more than $3.1 million on media to support Democratic candidate Adrian Boafo in Maryland’s 5th district, and about $320,000 on Ritchie Torres’ reelection to New York’s 15th district, which will also hold a primary on June 23.
Source: FEC
Today's California races will be another test of the cryptocurrency industry’s influence over US elections after Fairshake and other PACs backed House and Senate candidates who won their primaries in Texas last week. In addition to Fairshake, which reported a war chest of more than $193 million as of January, crypto-aligned PACs included Fellowship, backed by $11 million from financial company Cantor Fitzgerald and crypto custodian Anchorage Digital and the Blockchain Leadership Fund funded by $175,000 from Chainlink and Anchorage.
Related: Senator Lummis says China will 'write the rules' of new financial era if CLARITY fails
Fairshake has been open about its intention to force out House and Senate lawmakers it considers “anti-crypto,” such as Representative Al Green, who voted against the stablecoin legislation GENIUS Act and digital asset market structure bill, CLARITY. The Texas lawmaker lost his primary for the state’s 18th congressional district after Protect Progress spent $5 million supporting his opponent, Democrat Christian Menefee.
CLARITY Act added to the US Senate legislative calendar
After advancement by the US Senate Agriculture Committee in January and the Banking Committee in May, lawmakers have added the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act to the chamber’s calendar for consideration and a potential vote. Notably, both versions of the bill with amendments passed by the respective committees will likely need to be consolidated before a vote.
Magazine: HYPE chases $100 target, ETH could dump below $1800: Market Moves
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.More on the subject
US lawmakers push back on Labor Department plans to include crypto in 401(k)s1 hour agoTurner Wright
CFTC chair claims Gemini case was politically motivated, seeks to reverse settlement6 hours agoTurner Wright
Debate on CLARITY Act continues this week as US Senate returnsJun 1, 2026Turner WrightUS lawmakers push back on Labor Department plans to include crypto in 401(k)s1 hour agoTurner WrightCFTC chair claims Gemini case was politically motivated, seeks to reverse settlement6 hours agoTurner WrightDebate on CLARITY Act continues this week as US Senate returnsJun 1, 2026Turner Wright
