Key Highlights
- Fairshake-affiliated PAC Protect Progress disclosed a $53,530 independent expenditure opposing Donavan McKinney in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.
- The spending funded direct mail production, printing, and postage ahead of the August 4 Democratic primary.
- FEC records show independent expenditures in the race have surpassed $2 million this election cycle.
The cryptocurrency industry’s political spending campaign continued this week after Protect Progress, a political action committee affiliated with the crypto-backed Fairshake network, disclosed another independent expenditure in Michigan’s closely watched 13th Congressional District Democratic primary.
According to a filing disclosed on August 1 to the U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC), the committee spent $53,530 opposing Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney, who is challenging incumbent Democratic Congressman Shri Thanedar ahead of the August 4 primary.
The latest disclosure adds another round of spending to a race that has become one of the digital asset industry’s most closely watched congressional contests.
FEC filing reveals fresh political spending
The filing, designated FEC-2002993, states that the expenditure covered direct mail production, printing, and postage.
According to the FEC filing, Protect Progress paid $53,530 to Kinetic Campaigns for direct mail production, printing, and postage. The expenditure was disbursed on July 16 and publicly disclosed on July 29.
The report was signed by Brandon Philipczyk on July 30.
FEC records accompanying the filing show that calendar year-to-date independent expenditures tied to the race have now exceeded $2 million.
Crypto policy becomes part of the campaign
Protect Progress has consistently backed Rep. Shri Thanedar, whose voting record has attracted support from crypto-focused political organizations.
During his time in Congress, Thanedar voted in favor of the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act, two major pieces of digital asset legislation, and co-sponsored the Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act.
McKinney, meanwhile, has questioned the industry’s involvement in the race, arguing that outside spending is intended to reward lawmakers who supported legislation benefiting the cryptocurrency sector.
The Michigan primary is scheduled for August 4, with the winner advancing to the general election.
Another major race for crypto-backed PACs
The Michigan contest is the latest example of crypto-backed political committees playing an increasingly visible role in congressional elections.
Earlier this year, crypto-backed PACs committed roughly $12 million to Alabama’s Senate runoff, making it one of the industry’s largest investments in a statewide contest.
They also deployed significant resources in congressional primaries in Maryland and New York as Senate negotiations over the CLARITY Act intensified.
In Texas, crypto-backed committees backed candidates who went on to win all six targeted primary runoff races, reinforcing the industry’s growing presence in federal elections.
Campaign spending grows as crypto bills move forward
The latest filing comes as Congress continues debating legislation that could reshape digital asset regulation in the United States.
With market structure, stablecoin, and blockchain legislation still on lawmakers’ agenda, crypto-backed political organizations continue investing in competitive congressional races while seeking to support candidates whose policy positions align with the industry’s priorities.
As additional campaign finance disclosures emerge ahead of the November elections, the role of cryptocurrency-funded political committees is expected to remain under scrutiny.
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