U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, recognized as one of the most supportive figures for the crypto industry in Congress, announced she will not run for re-election in a statement on Friday.
The freshman senator will step down when her term concludes in January 2027, leaving a Republican position vacant in staunchly conservative Wyoming, while also parting ways with a pivotal advocate for the digital asset sector. Lummis has been the founding chair of the inaugural subcommittee dedicated to cryptocurrency issues within the U.S. Banking Committee, advocating for pro-crypto legislation as a primary focus.
Currently, she is among the key participants negotiating the crypto market structure bill, which will resume discussions after the holiday recess. She intends to be involved in what could be a last effort to achieve the industry’s main legislative goal in 2026.
“Choosing not to pursue re-election is a significant shift for me, but during the challenging and draining session weeks this fall, I’ve accepted that I do not have another six years left,” Lummis mentioned in her statement, issued as Congress exited Washington for the holiday break. She compared her situation to that of a sprinter in a marathon. “The stamina needed doesn’t align,” she stated.
Repeatedly, Lummis has proposed legislation aimed at facilitating regulatory acceptance and governmental support for cryptocurrency. These initiatives have encompassed comprehensive market structure legislation, crypto tax reforms, and frameworks to establish government ownership of Bitcoin.
While the upcoming congressional midterm elections in 2026 will present a high-stakes political arena with both chambers’ party standings at risk, the last time a Democrat held a Senate seat in Wyoming was in the 1970s. In her 2020 election, Lummis garnered nearly 73% of the vote.
“I take pride in having earned President Trump’s backing and the chance to collaborate with him to advocate for the citizens of Wyoming,” Lummis expressed in her statement. She indicated her commitment to “dedicating all my efforts to advancing crucial legislation to his desk in 2026 and maintaining sensible Republican control of the U.S. Senate.”
Crypto supporters are already expressing their sadness over her exit. Ji Kim, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, referred to her as a “prominent advocate for digital assets in Washington.”
“Her profound insight and dedication have significantly advanced digital asset policy and reinforced U.S. innovation and leadership,” Kim remarked in a statement on Friday.
Read More: Key U.S. Senator on Crypto Bill, Lummis, Negotiating Dicey Points With White House
UPDATE (December 19, 2025, 22:04 UTC): Includes comment from CCI’s CEO.
