When former congressional staffer Jake Rakov launched a primary bid against his old boss, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., the race seemed to fit a pattern.

The Democratic primary season is quickly shaping up to be dominated by intergenerational battles — and Rakov, at 37, presented himself as a fresh face against Sherman, who has been in Congress since 1997.

Other political forces, however, appear to be at work on Rakov’s campaign. As soon as he announced his challenge, donations from three officials at cryptocurrency trade groups landed in the upstart’s coffers, with a fourth donor coming in on their heels.

“Crypto is smart enough to realize that there are broad concerns among Democrats about aging in office.”

Jeff Hauser, the executive director of the Revolving Door Project, a left-lea

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