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Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse defended the crypto industry's election results after Democrats won both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterms. He said candidates who support digital assets gained seats in both parties, even as several industry-funded campaigns failed.
His comments kept the focus on federal crypto rules rather than either party's overall performance. The results leave Ripple and its political allies facing a Congress with a new majority and legislation still stalled.
Garlinghouse said the election had not changed the industry's priorities. In a post on X, he called for clear rules that would allow digital asset businesses to operate in the United States. He also cited an estimate of 67 million Americans who use cryptocurrency.
His remarks followed a statement from Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty. Alderoty rejected the idea that the Democratic sweep alone measured the industry's political standing. He pointed instead to candidates who supported crypto policy and secured seats across party lines.
Alderoty cited early findings from Stand With Crypto, an industry advocacy group. He said its figures showed substantial support for digital assets among newly elected lawmakers from both parties. He credited grassroots campaigners and industry organizations with building those political relationships over several years.
Still, the Democratic victories give the party control of the House and Senate during President Donald Trump's remaining two years in office.
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Crypto-linked groups spent around USD 176 million across more than 100 congressional contests by late October. Fairshake and affiliated committees accounted for most of that spending. Ripple, Coinbase and Andreessen Horowitz were among the companies behind the political operation.
The spending delivered victories in many races, though not all. Reuters reported on November 4 that Fairshake had won 29 of 34 contests decided at that point. In Nebraska, Republican Senator Pete Ricketts defeated independent challenger Dan Osborn after crypto groups spent heavily in the race.
The committees faced their most expensive setback in Ohio. Democrat Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Senator Jon Husted despite more than USD 60 million in spending by crypto-backed organizations against Brown's return. The former Senate Banking Committee chairman had lost his seat in 2024 after another costly industry campaign.
Elsewhere, Republican Andy Barr won Kentucky's Senate race after receiving industry support in the primary. Several Democrats with Fairshake backing secured victories too. House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill received backing as well. Yet Republicans Bryan Steil and Bill Huizenga lost their House reelection bids, showing that support from crypto groups did not guarantee success.
The political spending centered partly on efforts to pass the CLARITY Act. The proposal would set federal rules for digital asset markets and divide oversight duties between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
That effort stalled before voters went to the polls. On September 15, the Senate rejected a procedural motion to begin debate by 49 votes to 50. The result left lawmakers without a path forward for the bill ahead of the midterms.
The new Democratic majority brings lawmakers with concerns about investor protection, financial oversight, and political spending into greater control of negotiations. Alderoty said Ripple would keep working with members of both parties, while supporting advocacy groups, political committees and public education.
Ripple's outreach includes the National Cryptocurrency Association, which promotes education about digital assets. Alderoty pointed to wider crypto use among individuals, banks and businesses as a reason for continued engagement. Fairshake has signaled plans for the 2028 elections and reportedly holds about USD 56 million for future campaigns.
Ripple's leaders say the 2026 midterms brought pro-crypto victories across both parties, despite Democrats gaining Congress and Fairshake suffering expensive defeats. The CLARITY Act remains stalled after a 49–50 Senate vote. Ripple plans to sustain political outreach, while Fairshake prepares for 2028 with reported funds of about USD 56 million.