Scoop: Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) will have an ally in his second Senate run that he didn’t have in his first: crypto campaign cash.
First Principles Digital, a new pro-crypto super PAC that supports Republicans, is endorsing Rogers’ 2026 bid and committing to a “multi-million-dollar” campaign spend in the primary and general election.
Jason Thielman, the group’s executive director, called Rogers “the type of pro-crypto champion we need in Washington.” Here’s Thielman:
“We are all-in on Mike. He’s the best choice and we want to see him in the U.S. Senate.”
This endorsement is a shot across the bow to Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), who has been staffing up ahead of a potential Senate run. The NRSC has urged Huizenga not to run — so far to no avail.
Republicans would love to avoid a messy Senate primary in Michigan, which is one of their best pickup opportunities. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) is retiring and Democrats have a crowded field of candidates.
Thielman was the executive director of the NRSC during the 2024 cycle when Republicans took back the majority. Under his tenure, the committee aggressively played in primaries to secure their preferred candidates.
This spend is notable for two reasons: First, crypto forces were united against Rogers in 2024 — albeit different crypto forces.
The Fairshake super PAC network backed Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) over Rogers, throwing more than $10 million behind her campaign. The only candidate who benefited more from crypto spending was Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), who toppled former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) with more than $40 million in Fairshake support.
Two, it’s interesting to see a different crypto super PAC making moves in a Republican primary. Fairshake has given no indication it plans to spend in Michigan anytime soon.
Huizenga is the vice chair of the House Financial Services Committee and has often mentioned his support for the crypto industry. It’s feasible he could have tapped into this kind of funding.
Rogers has also expressed crypto support at least since 2024, telling Stand With Crypto during the election that policymakers “must ensure American innovation in crypto is not hampered by regulation while protecting consumers.”
Maine Senate news: Cognizant of upcoming Democratic attacks, the NRSC is running a digital ad and website to defend Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on Social Security. The ad touts Collins’ support for the Social Security Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that boosts Social Security payments for public workers with government pensions.
