Crypto PAC spending against Sherrod Brown tops $52 million in Ohio senate race

Two crypto-backed super PACs have reported roughly $52.6 million in Ohio’s 2026 Senate race, as the industry works to defeat former Senator Sherrod Brown. The combined total far exceeds the $30 million Fairshake announced in September. The stakes extend beyond Ohio, particularly if control of Congress changes in November.

The filings that push the total past $52 million

As of October 15, Defend American Jobs, an affiliate of Fairshake, reported that it had spent about $46.66 million in connection with the Ohio Senate race. This total includes a payment of $15,600 for media production services distributed publicly on October 13 that oppose Brown. Digital Freedom Fund reported that it had spent $5.94 million as of October 11, which included a payment of $1.98 million for campaign materials mailed to voters on October 9 that oppose Brown.

When these totals are added, they indicate that more than $52.6 million has been spent in the election cycle through October 15. Note that Defend American Jobs alone exceeded the previously announced Fairshake spending commitment by more than $16 million. The above totals are year-to-date amounts, not amounts incurred only after September.

Why the industry keeps coming after Brown

Ohio has gone through this process in the past. AP reported that cryptocurrency supporters spent over $40 million in the state’s Senate race of the year 2024, where Brown was defeated.

Now he shall deal with yet another expensive lobby-backed campaign, wherein control of the Congress is also contingent.

What a Democratic Congress could mean for crypto

According to a report by Reuters, even if Democrats take power in either of the two chambers it will not stop the Trump administration from easing crypto regulations. However, what it can lead to are subpoenas, congressional hearings, investigations regarding the president’s connection to the industry.

Executives are especially worried about Representative Sean Casten since he supports more oversight and is against the passing of the CLARITY Act in 2025.

According to Ron Hammond, Wintermute’s policy chief:

“He is no friend of the industry.”

Meanwhile, Cryptopolitan reported that an extra $2.7 million came to House elections through Fairshake affiliates. Earlier, the independent expending figures were $32.5 million for Defend American Jobs and $27.6 million for Protect Progress.

From Ohio ballots to global portfolios

The effects go beyond Ohio. A working paper from Northern Illinois University conducted a study of thirty-four elections from nineteen democracies between 2017 and 2024. Researchers noted that when a major regulatory country entered the pre-election period, the extent of the impact of news among ten cryptocurrencies increased by 0.85%.

Put simply, uncertainty over future crypto rules can make different cryptocurrencies react more alike. That leaves investors with less protection from losses, even when they hold several coins. The study found this pattern most strongly around elections in the US, UK, Germany, France and Japan. However, it did not establish that political spending directly affects crypto prices.

The stakes are considerable. A CoinShares survey of 2,230 affluent investors found that 66% across five surveyed countries held digital assets. Separately, an August survey of 30 fund managers overseeing approximately $1.16 trillion identified regulation as the leading concern among those invested in crypto. Research head James Butterfill also linked weak Ether sentiment to diminishing prospects for the CLARITY Act.

For investors worldwide, Ohio’s $52.6 million political battle is therefore about more than one Senate seat. The outcome could help shape expectations for US crypto regulation, with implications for market confidence, investment decisions and risks extending far beyond American borders.