Bitcoin-Friendly US Senate Candidate Defeated in Republican Primary Elections

U.S. Senate candidate Austin Petersen, who is known for his Bitcoin advocacy, lost the Republican primary election Aug. 7.

Hawley will go on to face to Democratic Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill in the general election.

"Sorry I couldn't pull out a win for us, friends. My faults as a candidate are my own, and not the fault of our activists. I am not a perfect messenger. One day soon I believe we will see more leaders who rise up and fight for our cause more fiercely and more successfully than I.".

In February, ABC News reported that Petersen's campaign for Senate received 24 donations in Bitcoin amounting to just under $10,000 total.

One such donation was reportedly the largest BTC donation ever received in a federal election.

At the time the donation was worth over $4,500, putting the donation over the Federal election limit of $2,700 per individual.

The candidate's website explained that the first $2,700 would go toward activities in the primary election, while the remaining amount would be used in the general election.

"I think it goes without saying we're going to see a lot more of in terms of campaign contributions and campaign financing... Austin is personally a fan of competition in the marketplace, even when it comes to our currency. With the rise of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, it was a no brainer for us to use those."

Earlier this week, Cointelegraph reported that the Chair of the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives revealed that he has holdings in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash.

Libertarian Party candidate for Wisconsin governor Phil Anderson said in July that he will accept BTC donations despite the state's Ethics Commission's finding them a "Serious challenge" to compliance with state law.