AI political groups spent millions with mixed results in midterm races

Political groups supporting or opposing the AI industry spent millions of dollars during Tuesday’s midterm elections, seeking to influence candidates and the future of AI regulation. Results were uneven: American Mission and Building the Future spent a combined $4.8 million supporting South Carolina Senate candidate Darline Graham, who lost. American Mission also spent more than $500,000 each on Aaron Flint in Montana and Laurie Buckhout in North Carolina; both were defeated. Think Big, the Democratic arm of Leading the Future (LTF), backed Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who won reelection.

Groups favoring stronger safeguards also had mixed outcomes. Public First, backed by Anthropic, supported Republicans who lost through an affiliated PAC but did better with Democratic candidates. It contributed $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 opposing Jimmy Gomez and Aaron Flint, both of whom lost, and $300,000 supporting Angela Gonzales-Torres, who defeated Gomez.

LTF said primaries are a more effective use of its funds and spent $27.38 million there, including $8 million opposing Alex Bores. The group plans to spend in 2028. Guardrails Alliance also intends to oppose industry-backed candidates. The central dispute is whether the U.S. should adopt one national AI framework or preserve state-level safeguards.