Why is Protect Progress spending more than $2 million in Michigan?

Protect Progress has spent more than $2 million supporting Representative Shri Thanedar and opposing Donavan McKinney ahead of Michigan’s 13th Congressional District Democratic primary.

What are the latest Protect Progress spending figures in Michigan?

Protect Progress reported another $884,240 in spending supporting Shri Thanedar and more than $150,000 opposing Donavan McKinney, roughly doubling its previously reported spending.

How has Shri Thanedar voted on cryptocurrency legislation?

Shri Thanedar voted for the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act and co-sponsored the Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act.

What did Donavan McKinney say about the crypto PAC spending?

Donavan McKinney said the crypto lobby was rewarding Shri Thanedar for helping President Donald Trump, linking the PAC spending to Trump’s reported crypto earnings.

What does Fairshake's 2026 political spending look like?

Public Citizen reported that Fairshake and its affiliates accounted for more than $82 million of roughly $189 million in crypto industry spending during the 2026 election cycle.

Cryptocurrency

Image for illustrative purposes only. Not a real photo.

Protect Progress spends $2M in Michigan

Written by Isaac FrancisPublished Aug 3, 2026, 3:43 AM

Protect Progress has spent more than $2 million supporting Shri Thanedar and opposing Donavan McKinney in Michigan.
New filings added $884,240 supporting Thanedar and more than $150,000 opposing McKinney.
The spending comes before Michigan’s 4 August Democratic primary for the 13th Congressional District.

Protect Progress has spent over $2 million supporting Shri Thanedar and opposing Donavan McKinney in Michigan’s Democratic primary.

The latest filings doubled earlier reported spending, adding $884,240 for Thanedar and over $150,000 against McKinney.

“The crypto lobby is paying my opponent back for helping Trump make over $1 billion since taking office,” McKinney said in a 21 July statement.

Thanedar previously supported the GENIUS Act, CLARITY Act and legislation designed to protect blockchain developers.

Michigan’s primary is scheduled for 4 August, while both campaigns had not immediately responded to requests for comment.

Protect Progress is affiliated with Fairshake, which spent over $170 million supporting crypto-aligned candidates during the 2024 election cycle.

Public Citizen reported Fairshake received $82 million of the crypto sector’s $189 million in corporate contributions this election cycle.