Protect Progress Super PAC Spends Millions Supporting Democratic Candidates in Arizona and Michigan Senate Races
The Protect Progress super PAC has invested approximately $7.8 million in supporting Democratic candidates in the U.S. Senate races in Arizona and Michigan, according to a recent Federal Election Commission filing.
The super PAC has allocated about $4.1 million for media buys in support of Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for the U.S. Senate to represent Arizona starting in 2025. Additionally, Protect Progress has spent over $3.7 million on media buys for Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin.
As an affiliate of crypto-backed super PACs Fair Shake and Defend American Jobs, Protect Progress is part of a network that has spent millions of dollars supporting and opposing congressional candidates in primaries and general elections. These three PACs have collectively invested significant funds in the 2024 election cycle.
A Close Election Looms
The U.S. election is scheduled for November 5, but early voting is available in Arizona and Michigan on October 9 and 26, respectively. Recent polls from September indicate that Gallego is leading far-right Republican candidate Kali Lake by between 4 and 6 points, while Slotkin is leading Republican Mike Rogers by about 5 points.
FairShake spokesman Josh Vlast stated in August that the crypto super PAC aims to support candidates from both parties who are committed to working with the crypto industry to pass responsible regulation. The outcome of the election could significantly impact the control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate, and presidency in 2025.
FairShake, backed by prominent cryptocurrency companies and executives, including Ripple and Coinbase, has raised over $169 million for the 2024 election cycle. The super PAC’s spending has likely influenced voters in the primary elections.
Notable examples of Protect Progress’s influence include the narrow victory of Yassamin Ansari, the Democratic candidate for Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District, who won his primary by just 39 votes after a recount in August, thanks in part to over $1.3 million in support from Protect Progress. In contrast, Rep. Katie Porter, running for a Senate seat in California, lost an unopposed primary in March, despite Fairshake spending about $10 million on attack ads against her.
Other PACs backed by crypto industry leaders are focusing on specific elections rather than national efforts. For instance, the Commonwealth United Fund has funded a media buy to support Republican John Deaton, who is running for a Senate seat in Massachusetts. Deaton won the primary and will face off against incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Warren in November.
