Crypto super PAC to spend $30M opposing Sherrod Brown in Ohio

Major cryptocurrency super PAC Fairshake plans to spend $30 million in Ohio opposing former Sen. Sherrod Brown’s (D) bid to return to the Senate, the group confirmed to The Hill.

Brown, who spent nearly two decades representing the Buckeye State before being ousted in 2024, is facing off against incumbent Sen. Jon Husted (R) in a tight midterm race that could be crucial to determining partisan control of the upper chamber.

The crypto industry spent heavily against Brown two years ago, pouring about $40 million into the race and helping to elect Sen. Bernie Moreno (R), a crypto enthusiast. Brown, who previously chaired the Senate Banking Committee, had taken a more skeptical approach toward digital assets.

Fairshake still has a hefty finance account at its disposal with just six weeks left until the midterms. It reported $108 million on hand at the end of August.

The super PAC’s latest spending comes after a major crypto regulation bill fell short in the Senate. The Clarity Act, which has long been a key priority for the industry, failed to clear a procedural hurdle on the Senate floor last week, with every Democrat and several Republicans blocking the measure.

Many in the industry and in Congress suggested the legislation was dead following the failed vote. The Clarity Act’s supporters had hoped to get the bill across the finish line before the midterms, which could change control of one or both chambers and reduce incentives to pass the current measure.