AI Power Players Pour Cash Into Competitive Primaries as 2026 Midterms Heat Up

Leading the Future, a group backed by top Silicon Valley figures, makes major ad buy in North Carolina's 1st Congressional District GOP primary

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A political group called Leading the Future, backed by leading AI companies and innovators, is starting to spend heavily in competitive primaries for the 2026 midterm elections. The group is launching a $500,000 ad blitz in support of former Defense Department official Laurie Buckhout, who is running in next month's GOP primary in North Carolina's 1st Congressional District. This is just the beginning of what Leading the Future says will be sustained engagement at both the state and federal levels throughout the 2026 cycle, as they aim to support lawmakers who recognize the urgency of the moment and the responsibility to enact a national regulatory framework for AI innovation.

Why it matters

The infusion of cash from AI power players into competitive primaries highlights the growing influence of the tech industry in shaping the political landscape. As the race to develop and regulate AI technology heats up, these groups are seeking to back candidates who will champion policies that harness the economic benefits of AI while protecting user safety. This could have significant implications for the future of AI regulation and innovation in the United States.

The details

Leading the Future, which has over $70 million in cash on hand, is launching its first major campaign spending with a $500,000 ad blitz in support of Laurie Buckhout, a former Defense Department official, in the GOP primary for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District. The group says this is just the beginning, and they plan to spend seven-figure sums in the open-seat Democratic primaries in Illinois' 2nd and 8th Congressional Districts, backing former Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Melissa Bean respectively.

  • Early voting in the North Carolina primary begins next week.
  • Leading the Future plans to ramp up spending throughout the 2026 election cycle.

The players

Leading the Future

A political group backed by leading AI companies and innovators, including OpenAI President and Co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife Anna, as well as Ben Horowitz of Andreessen Horowitz.

Laurie Buckhout

A former Defense Department official running in the GOP primary for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District.

Jesse Jackson Jr.

A former U.S. Representative running in the open-seat Democratic primary for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District.

Melissa Bean

A former U.S. Representative running in the Democratic primary for Illinois' 8th Congressional District.

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What they’re saying

“This is only the beginning of what we expect will be sustained engagement at both the state and federal levels throughout the 2026 cycle.”

— Zac Moffatt and Joe Vlasto, Co-strategists, Leading the Future (Fox News Digital)

“It is critical that we identify and support lawmakers who recognize the urgency of this moment and the responsibility policymakers have to enact a national regulatory framework that ensures the United States remains the global leader in AI innovation, wins the race against China and protects the safety of kids, users and communities.”

— Zac Moffatt and Joe Vlasto, Co-strategists, Leading the Future (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

Leading the Future plans to spend seven-figure sums in the open-seat Democratic primaries in Illinois' 2nd and 8th Congressional Districts, backing former Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Melissa Bean respectively.

The takeaway

The influx of cash from AI power players into competitive primaries underscores the growing influence of the tech industry in shaping the political landscape. As the race to develop and regulate AI technology intensifies, these groups are seeking to back candidates who will champion policies that harness the economic benefits of AI while protecting user safety, which could have significant implications for the future of AI regulation and innovation in the United States.