Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York’s 16th Congressional District has recently been targeted by a substantial media campaign after voting against three pro-crypto bills within the past 30 days. The Fairshake group, a political action committee (PAC) supported by crypto industry giants such as Ripple and Coinbase, has invested over $2 million opposing Bowman’s bid for reelection in the upcoming Democratic primary.

According to data from the United States Federal Election Commission, Fairshake has directed this considerable sum towards a media blitz aimed at challenging Rep. Bowman’s candidacy. As of June 16, various outside interest groups had contributed approximately $9 million against Bowman, who faces Democrat George Latimer in the June 25 primary. The Fairshake attack ad accuses Bowman of “pushing dangerous conspiracy theories,” although it avoids mentioning cryptocurrency or blockchain directly.

In reaction to earlier ads funded by another Super PAC, prominent Democratic figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have expressed support for Bowman’s reelection. Congressional records reveal that Bowman voted against the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century (FIT21) Act, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, and a joint resolution to overturn a Securities and Exchange Commission rule regarding banks handling crypto assets. Conversely, George Latimer, who served in the New York State Senate from 2013 to 2018, has largely remained silent on issues related to digital assets.

Moe Vela, former Director of Administration for then-Vice President Biden, told Cointelegraph that such attack ads are an “effective tool” for rallying voters but suggested that PACs should focus on legislation rather than targeting individual candidates. Although Fairshake declined to comment, it emphasized its mission to support candidates willing to create clear and responsible regulatory frameworks for the crypto industry.

Fairshake’s influence on U.S. elections is notable. Earlier this year, California Representative Katie Porter lost a primary race for the Senate after being targeted by the PAC. The ad claimed Porter accepted contributions from “big pharma, big oil, and big bank executives,” which Porter later criticized as an attempt by the crypto industry to stifle discussions on digital assets.

With less than five months until Election Day in the United States, the crypto industry’s involvement in politics is intensifying. Coinbase, a key supporter of Fairshake, contributed an additional $25 million to the Super PAC in June, bringing its total funds to around $160 million. Meanwhile, crypto mining executives have initiated projects to educate voters about Bitcoin and influence U.S. elections.

As the political landscape heats up, major party presidential candidates include U.S. President Joe Biden, Republican Donald Trump, Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Libertarian Chase Oliver. President Biden and Trump are set to engage in a televised debate on June 27, ahead of their official nominations.