Political groups tied to artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency are rapidly reshaping the midterm money landscape, but a new POLITICO Poll finds many Americans uneasy with the industries behind the spending. These sectors have poured millions of dollars into competitive 2026 races through aligned super PACs, seeking to elevate politicians who will support their agendas in Washington.
The survey, conducted by independent firm Public First in April, reveals broad public skepticism toward both technologies at a time when AI and crypto-aligned political committees are becoming dominant players in federal elections. The findings raise questions about whether financial firepower can translate into sustained political influence.
What the Right Is Saying
"The universal thread, from their perspective, is an attempt to maintain a degree of bipartisanship and identify people whom they think will be champions on these issues," said Jason Thielman, former executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, of crypto-aligned groups. He noted that industry PACs are backing candidates across party lines rather than aligning exclusively with Republicans.
Conservative supporters of the industries argue that technological innovation requires political allies willing to resist overregulation. Both Leading the Future and Fairshake have deployed money in primaries for Democratic and Republican candidates alike, seeking to build coalitions supportive of their policy goals in Congress.
Industry advocates contend that public skepticism reflects unfamiliarity rather than fundamental opposition. Crypto executives and AI company leaders point to the potential economic benefits of American technological leadership and argue that reasonable regulations can coexist with innovation-friendly policies.
What the Left Is Saying
"Democrats' best approach is to make their spending an issue," said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who has advocated for AI regulation. "People do not want AI companies to run them over culturally and economically. They don't trust crypto." The Connecticut Democrat has been outspoken about the need for guardrails on artificial intelligence development.
Progressive advocacy groups have seized on voter skepticism as a potential electoral advantage. In hypothetical head-to-head matchups tested by the poll, respondents were more likely to support candidates backed by groups advocating for stringent AI regulations than those aligned with looser rules. Environmental protection and climate change policy groups also outperformed crypto and AI-aligned committees in candidate support.
Democratic strategists argue that voter unease about special interest influence could amplify if the heavy spending becomes more visible. A 41 percent plurality of respondents said special interest groups have too much influence over U.S. politics, compared to 23 percent who said they have the right amount and just 12 percent who said they have too little.
What the Numbers Show
The April survey reveals significant voter hesitation about both industries: 45 percent of Americans say investing in cryptocurrency is not worth the risk despite potential high returns, while a 44 percent plurality say AI is developing too quickly. Nearly half of respondents trust traditional banks more than cryptocurrency platforms for managing money, with just 17 percent expressing the opposite preference.
Two-thirds of Americans support either imposing strict regulations on AI or establishing broad principles for the industry. On electoral spending, Leading the Future has raised over $75 million since its August founding, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Fairshake, primarily funded by Coinbase, Andreessen Horowitz and Ripple Labs, has spent $28 million across competitive primaries through its network of PACs.
Both industries have dramatically increased lobbying expenditures in Washington. OpenAI and Anthropic set records for AI company lobbying in the first quarter of 2026. The crypto sector has invested millions pushing for passage of the CLARITY Act, a market structure bill pending in the Senate that would provide regulatory clarity for digital assets.
The Bottom Line
The polling data reveals a disconnect between industry financial power and public sentiment that could create electoral risk for supported candidates. While super PACs have demonstrated ability to raise and spend at unprecedented levels, voter skepticism about both AI and crypto suggests heavy spending alone may not guarantee political favorability.
The 2026 midterms will test whether industry-aligned groups can successfully translate financial resources into durable political influence despite public reservations. Candidates benefiting from this spending may face scrutiny over their positions on technology regulation as voters become more aware of the funding sources behind campaign advertisements and political operations.