Crypto PAC Spends $11.4 Million Against Sherrod Brown in Ohio Senate Race

Defend American Jobs PAC has spent $11.4 million on media supporting Republican Jon Husted and opposing Democrat Sherrod Brown in Ohio’s Senate race, putting crypto-backed political spending at the center of the contest.

The PAC, affiliated with Fairshake and largely funded by Coinbase and Ripple Labs, disclosed the spending in a Sept. 24 filing with the Federal Election Commission. Fairshake has pledged an initial $30 million to block Brown’s return to the Senate.

Brown previously chaired the Senate Banking Committee and was one of Congress’ more outspoken critics of cryptocurrency legislation and policy. Husted was appointed to the Senate by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine after JD Vance left the seat to become vice president.

The campaign mirrors the industry’s spending in Ohio’s 2024 Senate race. Outside groups spent more than $300 million in that contest, while crypto-aligned PACs and their affiliates spent about $41 million opposing Brown and supporting Republican Bernie Moreno. Moreno won 50.2% of the vote to Brown’s 46.4%.

The 2026 race will determine whether Brown returns to the Senate as the crypto industry continues using election spending to influence US policy.