Crypto-aligned political action committees have directed more than $52 million toward opposing former Sen. Sherrod Brown and backing Republican Sen. Jon Husted in Ohio’s 2026 U.S. Senate race, according to recent Federal Election Commission filings. The outlay positions the contest as a central focus of digital-asset industry election activity less than three weeks before Election Day.

Defend American Jobs, an affiliate of the Fairshake PAC largely funded by Coinbase and Ripple Labs, accounts for $46.6 million in media spending supporting Husted and opposing Brown. That total exceeds by more than 50 percent the $30 million Fairshake had indicated it planned to commit when it outlined its Ohio strategy in September.

Digital Freedom Fund Adds to the Push

The Digital Freedom Fund, a super PAC established by Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, reported roughly $3 million in additional advertising this week. Its cumulative media purchases in the Ohio race now stand above $5.9 million, also directed against Brown and in favor of Husted.

Together the two committees have driven the combined figure past the $52 million mark. Early voting in Ohio has already been under way for about 10 days, giving the late surge in advertising particular weight as voters begin casting ballots.

Brown, who previously chaired the Senate Banking Committee and frequently challenged legislation and policies favored by the crypto sector, addressed the advertising campaign in an interview aired Friday. He linked the spending to industry interests seeking influence over the race.

Historical Context and Broader Midterm Activity

The current Ohio effort builds on Fairshake’s activity in the state’s 2024 Senate contest, when the PAC spent $41 million opposing Brown’s reelection bid and supporting Republican Bernie Moreno. Moreno prevailed 50.2 percent to 46.4 percent amid more than $300 million in total outside spending that cycle.

Husted, appointed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to fill the seat vacated when JD Vance became vice president, is seeking to retain the position. Fairshake has stated its goal of backing candidates supportive of industry-preferred policies in the 2026 midterms. The PAC reported holding $193 million in cash on hand earlier in the year.

Defend American Jobs has also directed more than $6.7 million against independent candidate Dan Osborn in Nebraska’s Senate race. Osborn faces Republican Pete Ricketts, who previously voted for measures including the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act and stablecoin legislation. Separately, the Fellowship committee, backed by Cantor Fitzgerald and Anchorage Digital, reported more than $11 million in spending between August 2025 and August 2026, primarily on media supporting House and Senate candidates.

Policy Stakes for Digital Assets

Industry groups view the composition of the next Congress as material to the pace and direction of digital-asset legislation and oversight. Fairshake and allied committees have framed their 2026 activity as an effort to elect lawmakers aligned with clearer market-structure rules and reduced regulatory friction. Brown’s prior record on the Banking Committee placed him among the more prominent critics of approaches favored by many crypto firms.

With early voting continuing and the general election approaching, additional FEC disclosures may show further adjustments in spending levels across Ohio and other targeted races. The outcome of the Ohio contest will help determine whether Brown returns to the Senate.