A collection of various cryptocurrency coins, including Bitcoin and other digital currencies. Photo: Traxer / Unsplash
(The Center Square) – An advocacy group that wants to elect more pro-cryptocurrency candidates to Congress is weighing in on two U.S. House races in Pennsylvania.
They are supporting one Republican incumbent while opposing another in the state’s GOP delegation.
First reported by Semafor, Stand With Crypto, in their first round of endorsements for the 2026 midterm election, is backing U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-8th District, in his bid for a second term, while opposing U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-10th District, in his quest for reelection.
Stand With Crypto gives Bresnahan an “A” grade and says that the Luzerne County Republican “strongly supports crypto” based on 2 statements he’s made and voting for the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act.
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, known as the CLARITY Act, establishes a “regulatory framework for digital commodities, defined by the bill as digital assets that rely upon a blockchain for their value,” according to a summary of the bill.
The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, known as the GENIUS Act, establishes a “regulatory framework for payment stablecoins (digital assets which an issuer must redeem for a fixed value).”
“As the digital asset market evolves, it’s critical we have regulations set in place while preserving the U.S. dollar and financial privacy,” Bresnahan wrote in a social media post in July 2025. “That’s why we passed three crypto bills to provide regulatory clarity for digital assets like cryptocurrency and protect American consumers.”
As for Perry, Stand With Crypto gives the York County Republican an “F” grade and described him as “strongly against crypto” based on 1 statement and 6 votes, including his opposition to the GENIUS Act.
The organization also unveiled a new online voter hub and in an effort to impact battleground races, like Pennsylvania’s 8th and 10th U.S. House districts, they will deploy “an aggressive, get-out-the-vote effort anchored by its 2.7 million advocates.”
“Stand With Crypto will invest in a multi-channel strategy that includes paid media campaigns across digital and direct mail, targeted SMS outreach, and robust digital organizing through email and social platforms,” according to a press release. “These efforts will be reinforced by on-the-ground activations via state and college chapters, all aimed at turning crypto voters into a decisive force at the ballot box in support of endorsed candidates.”
Bresnahan and Perry appear to have clear paths for their respective party’s nomination as they are the only Republicans who filed to run for their district. However, both are expected to face close races for re-election in November.
The Cook Political Report, a national ratings outlet, rates Perry’s race in the state’s 10th District as a “toss-up,” while Bresnahan’s race is described as “lean Republican.”
In 2024, Perry defeated Democrat Janelle Stelson, a former television anchor in central Pennsylvania, by 1.2 percentage points, which was his closest race since winning a seat in Congress in 2012.
Stelson and Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas have filed to run for the Democratic Party nomination in 2026. Stelson, who entered 2026 with a massive cash-on-hand advantage in the primary election, has an “A” grade from Stand With Crypto.
The organization said Stelson “strongly supports crypto” based on her statements.
“Janelle Stelson completed the Stand With Crypto Questionnaire and expressed strong support for a clear and accessible regulatory framework for digital assets in the United States,” Stand With Crypto said. “She advocates for legislation to provide pathways for digital asset businesses, protect consumers, and allow for self-custody, while also supporting specific bills like the CLARITY Act and GENIUS Act to modernize financial laws.”
Douglas has an “N/A” grade from the organization, saying the candidate doesn’t have recent votes or comments on crypto.
Bresnahan will likely face Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democrat, in November for the race in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Cognetti also has a “N/A” grade from Stand With Crypto.
The organization will announce additional House races for engagement in the coming weeks, according to a press release, and will endorse additional slates of candidates throughout the cycle.
Each member of the state’s U.S. House delegation has received either an “A” or “F” from Stand with Crypto.
The incumbents also received an “A” grade and are described as “strongly supportive” of crypto, including U.S. Reps. Brendan Boyle, D-2nd District; Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District; John Joyce, R-13th District; Mike Kelly, R-16th District; Dan Meuser, R-9th District; Guy Reschenthaler, R-14th District; Ryan Mackenzie, R-7th District; and Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th District.
They have also given Bob Brooks and Ryan Crosswell, Democrats running for their party’s nomination for the 7th District, “A” grades.
U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, a Democrat, and Dave McCormick, a Republican, have also received “A” grades.
In addition to Perry, the Pennsylvania incumbents who have received “F” grades from Stand With Crypto include U.S. Reps. Madeleine Dean, D-4th District; Chris Deluzio, D-17th District; Dwight Evans, D-3rd District; Summer Lee, D-12th District; and Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5th District.
