Protect Progress PAC, an affiliate of cryptocurrency-aligned political action committee Fairshake, spent more than $986,000 on media ads supporting Democratic incumbent Shri Thanedar and opposing challenger Donavan McKinney in Michigan's 13th congressional district primary race, according to filings with the US Federal Election Commission as of Tuesday. The expenditures came two weeks before the Aug. 4 Democratic primary. The spending is part of a broader $191 million war chest held by Fairshake and its affiliates to influence key elections and send pro-crypto candidates to the next US Congress.
Protect Progress PAC Spends $986,000 in Michigan Democratic Primary
In FEC filings as of Tuesday, Protect Progress PAC spent more than $986,000 on ads supportive of Thanedar and opposing McKinney. The reported expenditures mirrored the PAC's 2024 activity, when it spent about $1 million supporting Thanedar. In 2024, Thanedar defeated Democratic primary candidates with 54.9% of the vote and won the November general election with 68.6%.
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Source: FEC
McKinney did not run against Thanedar in 2024 and has not made any significant public statement directly supporting or opposing digital assets. In a Tuesday statement on the PAC spending, McKinney said, "Shri has voted for every bill [Donald] Trump and the crypto lobby have brought to Congress. The crypto lobby is paying my opponent back for helping Trump make over $1 billion since taking office."
Thanedar Voted for Crypto Bills and Lost $600,000 in Q2 2026
Thanedar voted for many crypto-related bills while serving in the House of Representatives, including the CLARITY Act, GENIUS Act, and Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act. He reportedly lost more than $600,000 in the second quarter of 2026 after investing $3.7 million of campaign funds into crypto companies.
Fairshake and its affiliates reported having $191 million in their war chest to potentially influence voters in key elections. The PACs are among many industry-aligned groups attempting to send pro-crypto candidates to the next US Congress. Others include Fellowship, backed by Cantor Fitzgerald and Anchorage Digital, and the Blockchain Leadership Fund, a hybrid PAC backed by Anchorage and Chainlink Labs.
Fairshake Affiliates Spend in Arizona and Washington Races
Protect Progress PAC spent more than $100,000 on media supporting Representative Greg Stanton's reelection bid in Arizona. Stanton voted in favor of CLARITY and GENIUS in the House. He won his primary on Tuesday for Arizona's 4th congressional district with 65% of the vote.
In Washington, Defend American Jobs PAC, another Fairshake affiliate, spent more than $65,000 on media to support Amanda McKinney, a Republican running for Washington's 4th district who made at least one public statement supporting crypto. Representative Dan Newhouse announced in 2025 that he would not pursue reelection in the district. Washington's party primaries are scheduled for Aug. 4.
FAQ
How much did Protect Progress PAC spend in Michigan's 13th district primary?
Protect Progress PAC spent more than $986,000 on media ads supporting Shri Thanedar and opposing Donavan McKinney in Michigan's 13th congressional district Democratic primary, according to FEC filings as of Tuesday.
What crypto-related bills did Shri Thanedar vote for?
Shri Thanedar voted for the CLARITY Act, GENIUS Act, and Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act while serving in the House of Representatives. He reportedly lost more than $600,000 in the second quarter of 2026 after investing $3.7 million of campaign funds into crypto companies.
Which other states saw spending from Fairshake affiliates?
Protect Progress PAC spent more than $100,000 supporting Greg Stanton in Arizona's 4th district, and Defend American Jobs PAC spent more than $65,000 supporting Amanda McKinney in Washington's 4th district.
