AI Power Players Pour Cash into Competitive Primaries for 2026 Midterms

Leading the Future, a group backed by top AI figures, injects $500K into North Carolina GOP primary

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A political group called Leading the Future, backed by prominent AI leaders and companies, is pouring money into competitive primary races ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The group has already committed $500,000 to support former Defense Department official Laurie Buckhout in the Republican primary for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Leading the Future says this is just the beginning of their planned investments to support candidates who recognize the importance of AI policy and innovation.

Why it matters

The influx of AI-backed political spending highlights the growing influence of the tech industry in shaping the policy landscape around emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. As the U.S. seeks to maintain its global leadership in AI, these groups aim to elect lawmakers who will enact favorable regulations and support American innovation.

The details

Leading the Future is a political group backed by prominent figures in the AI industry, including OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Andreessen Horowitz co-founder Ben Horowitz. The group has already raised over $125 million in commitments and has $70 million in cash on hand. Their initial $500,000 ad buy is supporting Laurie Buckhout, a former Defense Department official, in the Republican primary for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District. The group says this is just the start of their planned investments to support pro-AI candidates in competitive races.

  • Early voting in the North Carolina primary begins next week.
  • Leading the Future plans to spend seven figures in the Democratic primaries for Illinois' 2nd and 8th Congressional Districts.

The players

Leading the Future

A political group backed by leading AI companies and innovators, including OpenAI and Andreessen Horowitz.

Laurie Buckhout

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

Greg Brockman

The President and Co-founder of OpenAI, who is backing Leading the Future in a personal capacity.

Ben Horowitz

The co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, a venture capital firm that is a major investor in OpenAI and is also backing Leading the Future.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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 figures in the open-seat Democratic primaries for Illinois' 2nd and 8th Congressional Districts, supporting former Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Melissa Bean respectively.

The takeaway

The influx of AI-backed political spending highlights the growing influence of the tech industry in shaping policy around emerging technologies. As the U.S. seeks to maintain its global leadership in AI, these groups aim to elect lawmakers who will enact favorable regulations and support American innovation.