Ex-Congresswoman Targeted by Crypto PAC Eyes California Gubernatorial Race

Former Congresswoman Katie Porter, who lost her 2024 Senate bid to Adam Schiff, has launched a campaign for California's gubernatorial seat. Her previous defeat was attributed in part to $10 million in attack ads funded by Fairshake, a pro-cryptocurrency Super PAC.

Fairshake emerged as a major political spender during the 2024 election cycle, targeting candidates perceived as hostile to crypto interests. Porter bore the brunt of their spending, with $10 million deployed against her campaign—nearly five times more than their second-largest target, Jamaal Bowman.

The PAC's aggressive involvement highlights the crypto industry's growing political influence. With California's governorship opening in 2026, this early campaign activity suggests digital asset policy may become a flashpoint in state politics.