Crypto-backed PAC reduces ad spend in Massachusetts primary

Protect Progress PAC, an affiliate of the crypto‑industry political action committee Fairshake, spent just over $189,000 on media ads supporting incumbent Democrat Representative Jake Auchincloss in the Massachusetts 4th congressional district primary.

Background on Fairshake and Protect Progress

Fairshake poured more than $130 million into ads and media during the 2024 election cycle. The organization reported $122 million in cash on hand ahead of the 2026 midterms and said it had spent about $3.6 million on House and Senate races in Alaska, Florida and Wyoming in August.

Spending details and controversy

Federal Election Commission records show the $189,000 was used for media placements, including what Democratic challenger Jason Poulos described as “AI‑generated slop mailers.” Poulos has asked Auchincloss to publicly renounce Protect Progress’ involvement, noting that the lawmaker has received $77,500 directly from crypto‑industry sources since 2020 and voted for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in July 2025.

Implications for the primary

Massachusetts holds one of the last primaries before the general election, with the state’s primary scheduled for early September. The reduced spending comes after Fairshake’s broader effort to influence the 2026 elections, though the organization maintains it is not targeting candidates based on their positions on crypto or blockchain.