Crypto-Backed Michigan Incumbent Loses Primary Despite $2 Million PAC Push

Michigan State Representative Donavan McKinney defeated two-term incumbent Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary for the state’s 13th Congressional District, winning 51.9% of the vote to Thanedar’s 48.1%. The race drew attention after a cryptocurrency-backed political action committee spent more than $2 million on ads trying to keep Thanedar in office.

McKinney, backed by the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Socialists of America, accused the crypto industry of “paying my opponent back for helping Trump make over $1 billion since taking office.” Thanedar had voted in favor of crypto-friendly legislation, including the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act.

Fairshake-Linked PAC Behind The Spending

The ads opposing McKinney came from Protect Progress, a super PAC affiliated with Fairshake, which is backed largely by Coinbase and Ripple. Fairshake and its affiliates spent over $170 million during the 2024 election cycle and have continued pouring money into 2026 primary races nationwide. Separately, Thanedar reportedly lost more than $600,000 after investing $3.7 million in campaign funds into crypto companies during the second quarter.

McKinney Heads To November Election

“Washington has spent too long serving billionaires and corporate interests,” McKinney said in a Wednesday post on X. He will face Republican Taras Nykoriak in November. In Washington state’s 4th District, a separate Fairshake affiliate backed Republican Amanda McKinney, who will face Democrat John Duresky in the general election.