Key Points
- Silicon Valley is spending tens of millions on the 2026 midterm elections through AI‑focused super PACs.
- Leading the Future, backed by Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI’s Greg Brockman, targets candidates opposed to state AI laws.
- Meta has launched two super PACs to support pro‑AI candidates at the state level.
- Bipartisan super PAC Public First is raising money to promote AI safety safeguards.
- Public opinion polls show strong voter support for government regulation of AI.
- The clash reflects a broader battle over whether AI should be regulated nationally or by individual states.
Industry‑Backed Super PACs
Technology executives, investors and AI companies are channeling large sums of money into the 2026 midterm elections. The most prominent effort is a super PAC called Leading the Future, which has received backing from venture‑capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI president Greg Brockman and his wife. The group’s stated goal is to support a national AI regulatory framework and oppose candidates who champion state‑level AI laws.
Targeted Advertising
Leading the Future has launched television advertisements that target specific congressional races. One ad focuses on New York state assemblymember Alex Bores, who co‑authored a recent law requiring major AI developers to disclose safety‑testing practices. The ad argues that Bores’ legislation contributes to a “patchwork” of AI laws and calls for a single national policy. Another advertisement supports Texas lawyer Chris Gober, highlighting his alignment with “American technology investment” without mentioning AI.
Meta’s Parallel Efforts
Meta has pledged to spend “tens of millions” of dollars on state‑level candidates who embrace AI progress. The company announced two new super PACs – the American Technology Excellence Project and Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California – to back politicians aligned with its policy preferences. Meta’s public‑policy chief said that inconsistent state regulations threaten America’s AI investments.
Opposition and Counter‑PACs
In response to the pro‑AI spending, former representatives Chris Stewart and Brad Carson launched a bipartisan super PAC called Public First. The group aims to raise $50 million to promote AI safeguards and to counterbalance the influence of industry‑funded PACs. Public First has attracted interest from employees of major AI labs, including Anthropic, Google DeepMind and OpenAI, though it has not disclosed specific campaign endorsements.
Implications for AI Regulation
The influx of money from both sides underscores a broader debate over how artificial intelligence should be governed. While industry groups argue that a unified national framework will protect innovation and maintain global competitiveness, public‑policy advocates stress the need for reasonable guardrails to address safety and discrimination concerns. Polling data cited in the source suggests strong public support for government rules on AI safety, indicating that voter sentiment may shape the political calculus for candidates on both sides of the issue.
Source: wired.com