CNBC: AI-focused political groups have spent about $78.5 million on federal candidates in the 2026 cycle

Two camps organized around AI policy have spent about $78.5 million on federal candidates this election cycle, according to a CNBC analysis of Federal Election Commission filings published October 27. The analysis covers independent expenditures supporting or opposing congressional candidates reported through October 20. It excludes state races and nonprofit advocacy spending. The Leading the Future network, which favors faster AI development and lighter, more uniform rules, reported about $26 million in primaries and about $8 million in general-election races. Groups pushing for stronger safeguards and more room for states to regulate reported $32.1 million in primaries and $6.9 million in the general election. Another roughly $5.5 million went to runoff and special elections.

Per CNBC, Leading the Future launched in August 2025 with more than $100 million in commitments from backers including Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna, and Joe Lonsdale. Its Democratic PAC is Think Big and its Republican PAC is American Mission. On the other side, Anthropic gave Public First Action $20 million in February and another $20 million in July. Anthropic says its money is restricted to policy and public education and cannot fund candidate elections. CNBC reports that separately funded super PACs tied to Public First Action have spent millions advancing similar priorities.

The costliest clash was New York’s 12th District Democratic primary. Think Big spent $8.3 million trying to defeat state Assemblymember Alex Bores, who authored major state AI safety legislation. The Jobs and Democracy PAC, which CNBC describes as Anthropic-backed, spent about $15 million supporting him. Bores lost to Micah Lasher, 39% to 35%. In Florida’s 25th District, Think Big backed Democrat Jared Moskowitz while Defending Our Values backed Republican Scott Singer. A CNBC survey found 52% of registered voters want advanced AI development paused until Congress passes regulations. CNBC also cites The New York Times reporting that the Brockmans dropped plans for a second $25 million contribution.