A new nationwide map reveals how artificial intelligence (AI)–focused super PACs have poured tens of millions of dollars into 2026 races, reshaping contests from New York to Texas and far beyond. The surge comes as Congress and state legislatures weigh sweeping AI rules that could determine how the technology is governed for years. Voters, candidates, and regulators now face an election cycle where AI money is influencing who writes the next generation of tech laws—and where the battle lines are being drawn.
The map, compiled from federal and state filings and data tracked by Tech Influence Watch, shows more than $107 million raised and $55.5 million spent in federal races so far this cycle, with another $20 million-plus flowing into state contests. Much of the spending is concentrated in states considering aggressive AI legislation or hosting competitive primaries where tech policy has become a defining issue. The map highlights the states receiving the largest influx of AI-linked spending—including New York, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina and Utah—each receiving more than $2 million in combined activity.
Smaller but notable investments have also landed in: Leading the Future—backed by Silicon Valley heavyweights including Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman—is the largest spender on the map. The group’s network has raised more than $125 million and spent over $24 million in federal primaries through June, according to FEC filings. It has also endorsed 18 Republican state legislative candidates across Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah, signaling a coordinated push to shape state-level AI rules.
Leading the Future is pushing for a national AI regulatory framework, arguing that state-by-state laws create a patchwork that slows innovation. Yet the group’s actions show a more complicated reality: It opposed New York Assemblymember Alex Bores after he pushed a tougher version of the state’s RAISE Act—even though it later supported the softened version signed by Governor Kathy Hochul. Public First Action—led by former Representatives Brad Carson and Chris Stewart—is the largest pro‑AI regulation force on the map.
The group has raised $80 million, including $40 million from Anthropic, whose CEO Dario Amodei also personally donated $1 million. Public First Action’s affiliated PACs — Public First, Jobs and Democracy PAC and Defending Our Values PAC—have spent over $20 million so far. Public First Action strongly supports state-led AI regulation and opposes federal preemption unless Congress produces a comprehensive national framework.
It has backed candidates in Florida, Texas, Utah and North Carolina, often in races where AI safety legislation is under debate. Meta has launched two major efforts—one focused on California and another operating across multiple states—making it one of the most aggressive state-level spenders. Meta donated $20 million to its California-focused PAC, which has spent over $4.3 million so far.
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