Crypto-aligned PACs pour millions into Ohio Senate race and expand to Texas
Fairshake transferred over $24M to Defend American Jobs which spent about $24M in Ohio Senate race in September, while Winklevoss-backed Digital Freedom Fund added $5.9M in Ohio and $81K in Texas.
Why it matters
Crypto industry PACs are deploying record sums in Senate races, signaling a coordinated effort to elect candidates favorable to crypto policy. The spending scale exceeds previous cycles and has expanded beyond Ohio into Texas.
Where the sources disagree
Digital Freedom Fund spending in Ohio Senate race
$5.9 million
Protos
about $7 million total support for Husted
Cointelegraph
Protos reports $5.9 million spent in Ohio, while Cointelegraph reports total support for Husted at about $7 million
Key facts
Fairshake transferred over $24 million to Defend American Jobs in September
24,000,000 USDReported by Protos
Defend American Jobs spent about $24 million in the Ohio Senate race in September
24,000,000 USDReported by Protos
Defend American Jobs has spent more than $46 million in the Ohio Senate race this cycle
46,000,000 USDReported by Protos
Defend American Jobs spent $40 million supporting Bernie Moreno in 2024
40,000,000 USDReported by Protos
Digital Freedom Fund spent an additional $5.9 million in the Ohio Senate race
5,900,000 USDDisputed figureReported by Protos
Digital Freedom Fund reported raising about $34 million as of September 30
34,000,000 USDReported by Cointelegraph
Digital Freedom Fund spent more than $81,000 on direct mail media supporting Ken Paxton in Texas
81,000 USDReported by Cointelegraph
Digital Freedom Fund's total support for Jon Husted in Ohio reached about $7 million
7,000,000 USDDisputed figureReported by Cointelegraph
What happened
Crypto-aligned political action committees have significantly increased spending in the Ohio Senate race between Republican Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown. Fairshake transferred over $24 million to its affiliate Defend American Jobs in September, which spent about $24 million in the Ohio race that month — supporting Husted and opposing Brown. Defend American Jobs has now spent more than $46 million in the Ohio race this cycle, exceeding the $40 million it spent supporting Bernie Moreno in 2024. The Winklevoss-backed Digital Freedom Fund has spent an additional $5.9 million in Ohio and reported its first Texas expenditure of more than $81,000 supporting Republican Ken Paxton. The Digital Freedom Fund reported raising about $34 million as of September 30.
How the story developed
- Update
Fairshake transfers $24M+ to Defend American Jobs
Super PAC transfer completed in September 2026
- First report
First report by Protos
Crypto PACs spend big on Ohio Senate race
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by Cointelegraph
Winklevoss PAC moves into Texas Senate race with $81K ad buy
- Update
Digital Freedom Fund enters Texas Senate race
First expenditure of $81K+ supporting Ken Paxton reported in FEC filing
- Update
Digital Freedom Fund reports $34M raised through September 30
FEC filing shows fundraising total for Winklevoss-backed PAC
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 21 Oct 2026, 18:47 UTC: Protos — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 22 Oct 2026, 19:29 UTC: Cointelegraph — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Donald Trump, Ripple, Andreessen Horowitz
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protos Crypto media | Crypto PACs spend big on Ohio Senate race | Original | |
| Cointelegraph Crypto media | Winklevoss PAC moves into Texas Senate race with $81K ad buy | Independent |
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