Illinois Primary: AI and Crypto Industry Lobbying Groups Face Setbacks Across Multiple Elections

SmartContractAuditor · 2026-03-18T04:02:20+00:00

Illinois primary results were released on March 17. The crypto industry invested over $13 million through Fairshake PAC to oppose the lieutenant governor candidate and support other candidates. Despite support from AIPAC and the crypto industry, La Shawn Ford still won the nomination. Total spending exceeded $50 million, with AIPAC and related industry spending surpassing $35 million.

SmartContractAuditor

2026-03-18 04:02:20

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Odaily Planet Daily reports that the Illinois primary election results were gradually announced on the evening of March 17 local time. The cryptocurrency industry invested over $13 million through the Super Political Action Committee Fairshake in this state’s elections, with nearly $10 million used to oppose Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton’s bid for Senate, and over $3 million allocated to two campaigns supporting cryptocurrency consumer protection laws. The AI industry invested approximately $2.5 million in two House races.

In District 7, despite pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC spending nearly $5 million and the crypto industry PAC Fairshake investing close to $2.5 million, State Representative La Shawn Ford, who supports consumer protection laws, still defeated his opponent to secure the nomination. In District 2, Donna Miller, supported by AIPAC and the Cook County Committee, defeated former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who was supported by the AI industry PAC. In District 8, former Congressman Melissa Bean, supported by AIPAC and PACs from the crypto and AI industries, defeated progressive candidate Junaid Ahmed.

The Illinois primary involved five House seats and one Senate seat, with external groups collectively investing over $50 million, including more than $35 million related to AIPAC, the crypto, and AI industries.

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