Pro-AI super PAC keeps $31M ready for the midterms

With millions of dollars sitting in AI super PAC accounts, the industry's https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/ai-influence-network-cash" target="_blank">influence in the midterms is on track to expand.

Why it matters: https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_blank">AI groups have already become major players in congressional races, but the latest Federal Election Commission filings suggest that the biggest spending may lie ahead.

• Candidates are https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/ai-money-early-test-ballot-box" target="_blank">not definitively winning or losing on the AI issue alone so far.

  But with millions of dollars still available, https://www.axios.com/2026/02/27/ai-influence-power-players" target="_blank">AI groups are positioned to push their priorities hard through November.

By the numbers: Leading the Future — a pro AI-industry super PAC backed by tech execs and investors pushing rapid AI development and lighter regulation — closed out Q2 with $31.5 million after transferring $20 million to affiliated groups.

• It disbursed $10 million each to Think Big PAC and American Mission PAC, according to its latest FEC filing.
• "Our resources will allow us to continue building a deep bench of pro-innovation champions," Leading the Future spokesperson Jesse Hunt told Axios in a statement.

The other side: Public First Action, a bipartisan 501(c)(4) nonprofit that advocates for AI safety and https://www.axios.com/2026/02/12/anthropic-millions-ai-policy-fight" target="_blank">received $20 million from Anthropic earlier this year, is tied to three super PACs.

The bipartisan Public First PAC reported about $494,000 cash on hand at the end of Q2.

• The super PAC raised about $3.4 million during the quarter — much of it from Anthropic executives and employees — and transferred $3.3 million to its affiliate, Jobs and Democracy PAC.
• Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei donated $1 million to Public First.
• Anthropic, Google and OpenAI employees collectively contributed more than $2 million to the super PAC.

Jobs and Democracy PAC, which backs Democrats, ended the quarter with about $1.3 million cash on hand.

• The super PAC spent heavily in support of New York pro-AI safety candidate Alex Bores, who lost out to fellow Democrat Micah Lasher.
• In addition to the money from Public First PAC during this quarter, it received nearly $10 million from Public First Action, the affiliated 501(c)(4), during the reporting period.

The Republican-focused Defending Our Values PAC, meanwhile, closed out the quarter with nearly $315,000 cash on hand.

Guardrails Alliance, a newly launched super PAC backed by tech workers and founded by Democratic organizers, reported nearly $400,000 cash on hand.

• The group advocates for robust AI safety regulations, workers' rights and fighting https://www.guardrailsalliance.org/" target="_blank">what they consider AI billionaire efforts to buy elections.

Between the lines: Groups focused on AI safety and transparency are far behind industry fundraising.

The bottom line: As the midterms approach, https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/ai-influence-network-cash" target="_blank">AI PAC spending is ramping up.

• With roughly $31 million in its accounts, Leading the Future has significant room to expand its footprint before November.