# Ethereum Developer Announces Candidacy for U.S. Congress

*Author: Jack Inabinet*
*Published: Apr 9, 2026*
*Source: https://www.bankless.com/fr/read/news/ethereum-developer-announces-candidacy-for-u-s-congress*

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Joe "CupOJoseph" Schiarizzi – the founder of Solarpunk VC and an Ethereum developer who previously [worked](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-schiarizzi/details/experience/) at Consensys, Gitcoin, and OpenSea – is running for Congress, announcing his candidacy today for Virginia’s newly redefined 7th congressional district.

### What's the Scoop?
- **Congressional Candidate: **Joe Schiarizzi is running as a Democrat for Virginia's 7th congressional district, which, pending a statewide ballot measure, could be [redrawn](https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2026/03/25/what-to-know-about-virginias-congressional-redistricting-proposal/) later this month and left without an incumbent.
- **Policy Plans:** Schiarizzi is highly critical of the Trump administration, and would prioritize impeachment efforts against the President. "I’m fed up with the direction our country is going: corruption, unnecessary wars, and a housing crisis that is tearing our communities apart. I’m not a career politician. I’m an engineer and an affordable housing activist. I'm running for Congress to put working families first, hold the powerful accountable, and fight to build a future we can actually be proud of," his [campaign website](https://www.votejoe.org/) reads.
- **Crypto Accepted: **Schiarizzi is [accepting](https://x.com/CupOJoseph/status/2042246216675733823?s=20) crypto donations through Coinbase, making his campaign one of the first operated by a Democrat to do so.

> I'm running for US Congress. Seriously.Imagine common sense crypto policy and regulation, aligned with American dynamism.Check out our list of new Crypto Policies we will support, linked below.[https://t.co/TOylxM5Hk3](https://t.co/TOylxM5Hk3)— CupoJOSΞPH 🐌 (@CupOJoseph) [April 9, 2026](https://twitter.com/CupOJoseph/status/2042240750721659170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)