Two weeks after the CLARITY Act was narrowly defeated in the Senate by a 49-50 vote, the crypto industry immediately shifted its focus to the ballot box. Stand With Crypto announced bipartisan endorsements for three US Senate candidates ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. The move is backed by total industry political spending now approaching $200 million for the 2026 cycle.
The advocacy group, founded by Coinbase in 2023, chose Republican Jon Husted for Ohio, Republican Ashley Hinson for Iowa, and Democrat Chris Pappas for New Hampshire as its initial slate of Senate candidates. In the House of Representatives, Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa and Shomari Figures of Alabama were also added to the new roster of endorsements. This expands the list of 32 House candidates backed since last August for proven track records of championing digital asset policies.
Open Battle in Ohio
Jon Husted’s candidacy has drawn major attention due to the profile of his opponent in Ohio. He will face Sherrod Brown, the former Senate Banking Committee Chairman whose track record is marked by opposition to the crypto industry. Fairshake PAC - a political action committee backed by Coinbase, Ripple, and Andreessen Horowitz - has already poured $30 million solely to help Husted defeat Brown in the state.
Pressure Through Public Scorecards
The failure of the CLARITY Act, blocked by a solid Democratic bloc over concerns surrounding Donald Trump’s crypto ventures, shifted the industry’s lobbying playbook. Stand With Crypto emphasized that it has over three million advocates nationwide. Instead of making direct campaign donations to candidates, the group focuses on mobilizing voters through its Voter Hub platform.
Every senator’s voting record is now tracked on a public scorecard accessible to anyone. Stand With Crypto warned that its grassroots base will judge politicians strictly by these scorecards in the voting booth. Alongside this strategy, expanded campaign ads have begun targeting six additional House congressional districts.
Consequences of the Senate Blockade
This wave of endorsements demonstrates that the crypto industry is no longer merely pouring money into closed-door lobbying in Washington. Obstructing legislation in the Senate now carries real electoral consequences for politicians facing millions of organized voters guided by transparent digital scorecards. Reported by Decrypt.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
