US — TechCrunch

AI PACs spent millions trying to shape Congress — here’s how they fared

PolicyNovember 5, 20262 min read

AI-focused political groups spent millions trying to sway the midterm elections and the future of AI rules. Their results were mixed, and many of their most-backed candidates lost.

What happened

On Election Day, groups for and against the AI industry spent large amounts of money on candidates. Many of the most heavily backed candidates lost. Industry-backed groups spent $4.8 million to support Darline Graham in South Carolina's Senate race, and she lost. Some other groups had better luck, such as the Democratic spending arm that helped Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz win reelection.

Key numbers

American Mission and Building the Future spent $4.8 million to back Darline Graham, who lost the South Carolina Senate race.
American Mission spent more than $500,000 each for Aaron Flint (Montana) and Laurie Buckhout (North Carolina). Both lost.
Public First gave $3 million to a PAC supporting California state Sen. Scott Wiener, who was leading when the article was published.
Guardrails Alliance spent more than $1 million each opposing Jimmy Gomez and Aaron Flint. Both lost.
Leading the Future spent $27.38 million in the primaries, including $8 million against New York Assembly member Alex Bores, who lost his bid for Congress in June.

Background

PACs (political action committees) are groups that collect and spend money to help or hurt candidates. Leading the Future is a broad political group backed by OpenAI president Greg Brockman and the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Its Republican arm is American Mission, and its Democratic arm is Think Big. Public First, backed by Anthropic, supports stronger AI safety rules. Guardrails Alliance tries to make taking AI company money a political problem for candidates.

Why it matters

The fight is about who makes the rules for AI. The main question is whether Congress should set one national AI framework that overrides state laws, or whether states can keep their own safety rules. Leading the Future prefers choosing candidates in primary elections, where it thinks its money has more effect. Critics say that AI money can hurt candidates, because many voters distrust AI companies and their leaders. It is hard to tell how much AI spending changed the results, since a broad Democratic wave also swept the election.

What to watch

Whether Congress moves toward one national AI law that would override state rules.
How much AI groups spend in future primary elections.
Whether voters punish candidates who take money from AI companies.
Final results in close races, such as Scott Wiener's California contest.

Glossary

PAC: A political action committee: a group that collects and spends money to help or hurt election candidates.
American Mission: The Republican spending arm of Leading the Future.
Public First: A group backed by Anthropic that supports stronger AI safeguards.
Guardrails Alliance: A group that tries to make taking money from AI companies a political liability for candidates.

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