Crypto PAC Spends $11M to Oppose Senator Sherrod Brown in Ohio
Crypto group backs Husted against Brown
A political action committee (PAC) funded largely by the cryptocurrency industry has reported spending more than $11 million on television and digital advertisements. These ads support Republican candidate Jon Husted and oppose Democrat Sherrod Brown in the race for a U.S. Senate seat in Ohio.
The spending was disclosed in a filing with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on Thursday. The PAC, named Defend American Jobs, is affiliated with Fairshake, a group supported by major crypto companies including Coinbase and Ripple Labs. The organization had previously pledged to spend an initial $30 million in this specific Ohio race.
Key figures in the campaign
- Defend American Jobs PAC reported spending $11.4 million on media.
- Fairshake, the parent group, pledged a total of $30 million for the Ohio Senate race.
- Sherrod Brown previously served as chair of the Senate Banking Committee.
- Jon Husted was appointed to the Senate after JD Vance became Vice President.
- In the 2024 Ohio Senate race, outside groups spent over $300 million, with crypto-aligned PACs contributing about $41 million.
What the FEC filing reveals
According to the September 24 filing, the funds were used specifically to support Husted and prevent Brown from returning to the Senate. Sherrod Brown was known for his opposition to pro-crypto legislation during his time as Banking Committee chair. The ad campaign appears to be part of a broader effort by the industry to influence the outcome of the election.
Responses from both campaigns
Amy Natoce, a spokesperson for Jon Husted's campaign, stated that the Democratic candidate faces an "onslaught of ads." She added that voters in Ohio had previously defeated Sherrod Brown. Cointelegraph contacted Brown's campaign for a response but did not receive one before publication.
In a previous statement from August 2025 regarding his Senate run, Brown said his goal is to ensure that as cryptocurrency becomes more common, it expands opportunities for Ohioans without putting them at risk.
Crypto ties in other Ohio races
The cryptocurrency industry is also active in the race for Ohio governor. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate and co-founder of Strive, secured the Republican nomination in May 2026. He received significant financial backing from figures in the crypto space.
Three co-founders of World Liberty Financial, a crypto company linked to the Trump family, donated the maximum allowed amount to Ramaswamy's campaign. Additionally, his PAC received $20 million from Jeff Yass of Susquehanna International Group and $6 million from Ross Stevens of NYDIG.
Historical context of spending
This current spending follows a pattern seen in the 2024 election. During that cycle, the contest between Brown and Republican Bernie Moreno saw over $300 million in spending from outside groups. Crypto-aligned entities contributed approximately $41 million to oppose Brown and support Moreno. Ultimately, Moreno won the election with 50.2% of the vote compared to Brown's 46.4%.
Why this matters for the industry
The high level of spending highlights the growing political engagement of the cryptocurrency sector. Industry groups are investing heavily to elect candidates who may be more favorable to their interests, particularly in key swing states like Ohio. The involvement of major firms like Coinbase and Ripple indicates a coordinated effort to shape legislative outcomes.
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.