Competing super PACs backed by the artificial intelligence industry are pouring tens of millions of dollars into 2026 midterm primaries, yet their advertisements rarely reference the technology itself.

Groups are active in Texas, North Carolina, and New York, focusing on issues like immigration and health care to influence regulation outcomes.

What the Right Is Saying

Leading the Future, a rival organization, supports candidates who they believe are the most pro-innovation when it comes to AI.

Jesse Hunt, a spokesman for the group, noted that the debate over AI is still in its infancy and expects it to evolve over future election cycles.

Ads in Illinois races touted the past accomplishments of Democratic candidates, including voting for the Affordable Care Act, rather than current AI stances.

What the Left Is Saying

Public First, a super PAC seeking more significant regulation on AI, argues that voter concerns about the cost of living are inseparable from technology policy.

Brad Carson, who helps lead Public First, stated that voters worry about whether the economy works for regular people or just tech billionaires.

In New York, the Jobs and Democracy PAC defended Assemblyman Alex Bores against attacks regarding his former work with Palantir Technologies.

What the Numbers Show

Leading the Future had $39 million banked away at the end of last year, while Public First received at least $20 million from Anthropic.

Think Big spent more than $1.5 million attacking Bores, and Public First is looking to boost Valerie Foushee with more than $1.6 million.

The Bottom Line

The decision to de-emphasize the central issue is a strategy used by groups with political aims on other issues to wage battles using issues more salient to the electorate.