AI Super PACs Battle in 2026 Midterms, Employee Donations Shift Landscape

Public First (Anthropic-backed) and Leading the Future (OpenAI-aligned) dominate AI-related spending in the 2026 midterms. Together they have spent nearly $24 million on ads and pledged $100 million for campaigns, while each pressures candidates to shun the rival.

AI safety’s ‘hard money’ may be its secret weapon in the midterms

The clash reflects a broader contest over AI regulation, with Silicon Valley firms seeking to shape policy. Public First is led by Brad Carson, who calls the rivalry “matter and antimatter.” Leading the Future has not responded. Democratic strategist Cooper Teboe warned, “This is a war for the future and it will be bloody.”

AI-Aligned Super PACs Clash Over Midterm Spending

Super PACs have spent $24 M and pledged $100 M+. Anthropic employees made 302 donations totaling >$880 k (median $6.5 k); OpenAI employees contributed >$300 k across 162 donations. Top hard-money recipients are Alex Bores ($186 k) and Scott Wiener ($110 k). Senior Anthropic donors gave $146 k, $87 k and $52 k; Jan Leike contributed $24 k. AnthroPAC has raised $119 k but has not announced targets.

AI safety’s ‘hard money’ may be its secret weapon in the midterms

Employee “hard money” bypasses super PAC overhead and can be spent directly on staff, rallies, and targeted ads. Brendan Steinhauser says the campaign can control its message and operations, and adds a “full-spectrum approach” that blends hard-money with PAC support. This shift could tilt electoral outcomes toward AI-safety candidates, reshaping future AI policy debates.

AI safety’s ‘hard money’ may be its secret weapon in the midterms

Anthropic’s spokesperson stated, “Anthropic employees make their own political donations as private citizens… our employees care deeply about how AI is governed… Anthropic supports thoughtful, well-crafted policy.” OpenAI declined comment.

AI safety’s ‘hard money’ may be its secret weapon in the midterms

Public First-backed candidates such as Alex Bores face accusations of being beholden to billionaire interests. Opponents argue Leading the Future’s multi-million-dollar ads could alienate voters wary of corporate influence, prompting some candidates to avoid the clash.

AI safety’s ‘hard money’ may be its secret weapon in the midterms

FEC data lists an OpenAI employee donating $17,500 after moving to Anthropic, suggesting filing errors; the $100 M+ pledge remains unverified.

AI safety’s ‘hard money’ may be its secret weapon in the midterms

• “This is a war for the future and it will be bloody.” — Cooper Teboe, Democratic strategist

New York Times

• “matter and antimatter.” — Brad Carson, Public First leader

AI-Aligned Super PACs Clash Over Midterm Spending

• “The campaign is the one that is able to put out the message it controls and pay the people and pay the staff, and be able to do the work on the ground,” — Brendan Steinhauser, CEO, The Alliance for SecureAI

AI safety’s ‘hard money’ may be its secret weapon in the midterms

• “You want your campaign fully funded, and then you’re like, I’d love to see two or three or four million [from a PAC] supporting my congressional race, but I just hope [the PAC delivers] on message.” — Brendan Steinhauser

AI safety’s ‘hard money’ may be its secret weapon in the midterms

The 2026 midterms will reveal whether hard-money contributions from AI-company employees can outweigh the high-visibility ad blitzes of the rival super PACs. AnthroPAC’s candidate selections and the fulfillment of the $100 million pledge are poised to shape the emerging AI policy debate.

AI safety’s ‘hard money’ may be its secret weapon in the midterms