AI political groups clash in 2026 midterms over regulation spending
Silicon Valley’s AI-aligned political groups are battling each other in the 2026 midterms, with $8 million spent by pro-innovation camps versus $6.9 million by pro-safeguards groups, per CNBC’s analysis of FEC filings through October 20. The fight is most visible in Florida’s 25th Congressional District, where Think Big—a Democratic-aligned super PAC backed by Leading the Future—spent $310,000…
Key points
- Pro-innovation groups spent $8M in midterms vs. $6.9M by pro-safeguards camps, per FEC filings through October 20
- Think Big backed Democrat Jared Moskowitz with $310K in Florida’s 25th District; Defending Our Values spent $857K+ for Republican Scott Singer
- Anthropic donated $40M to Public First Action (policy-focused) while Leading the Future’s PACs spent $500K+ each to elect Republican primary winners
The divide traces back to Leading the Future’s $100 million launch in August 2025, funded by Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife Anna, and Joe Lonsdale. Its affiliated PACs spent over $500,000 each to elect three Republican primary winners in Texas and North Carolina. Anthropic countered with $40 million to Public First Action, though its funds are restricted to policy—not candidate races. A New York primary saw Think Big spend $8.3 million to defeat state Assemblymember Alex Bores (a safety advocate), while Anthropic-backed groups spent $15 million to support him. Bores lost, marking a tactical win for the innovation camp. Primary spending dominated: $26 million by Leading the Future and $32.1 million by safeguards groups, versus $8 million and $6.9 million in general-election races. Internal pushback at OpenAI and Meta’s $25 million refunds signal growing backlash.
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Silicon Valley AI political groups turn on each other in the 2026 election
CNBC Technology · 27 October 2026
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