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Crypto-backed political action committees have spent more than $8 million supporting candidates in congressional primary races across three U.S. states ahead of Tuesday\u2019s elections.<\/p>\n
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According to filings with the U.S. Federal Election Commission, much of the spending has come from political groups linked to Fairshake, the crypto industry-backed PAC that has emerged as one of the most active players in the 2026 election cycle.<\/p>\n
Protect Progress, a Fairshake affiliate that supports Democratic candidates, has directed the largest share of its spending toward races in Maryland and New York.<\/p>\n
FEC records show the PAC spent<\/a> more than $5.5 million backing Maryland state Delegate Adrian Boafo in the Democratic primary for the state\u2019s 5th Congressional District. In New York\u2019s 15th District, the group reported more than $1.4 million in expenditures supporting incumbent Representative Ritchie Torres.<\/p>\n Additional spending has targeted other contests. Protect Progress reported<\/a> more than $516,000 in media expenditures supporting April McClain Delaney, who is seeking the Democratic nomination in Maryland\u2019s 6th Congressional District.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While much of the money has been directed toward boosting preferred candidates, FEC filings also show spending against rivals. Protect Progress disclosed roughly $24,000 in advertising opposing Quincy Bareebe and another $74,000 in media spending targeting Harry Dunn, both of whom are competing against Boafo in Maryland.<\/p>\n Political opposition to the spending has surfaced during the final stretch of the campaign. In a June 15 joint statement<\/a>, Democratic candidates Harry Dunn, Quincy Bareebe, and Rushern Baker criticized what they described as the growing role of outside money in the race.<\/p>\n The candidates called on Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Senator Angela Alsobrooks, and Representative Steny Hoyer to publicly address whether they supported millions of dollars in spending from crypto industry donors and other outside groups backing Boafo\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\nFairshake affiliates concentrate resources on key races<\/h2>\n