In an advertisement broadcast prior to the March primary, Chris Gober, a Republican candidate for Congress, was presented to voters as a “Trump conservative” and a “MAGA warrior,” emphasizing his capacity to engage in battles for his beliefs.
The advertisement did not directly mention artificial intelligence (AI); rather, it highlighted Gober’s advocacy for technology investment in Texas aimed at countering China. It was funded by American Mission, a branch of a well-funded AI super PAC network known as Leading the Future. Established in 2025, this network has prominent backers such as Greg Brockman, co-founder of OpenAI, and billionaire Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir, a data analysis company focused on AI.
American Mission invested approximately $372,000 in promoting Gober’s candidacy throughout the district, a move that contributed to his successful nomination to replace retiring Representative Michael McCaul.
Gober, an attorney based in Austin and former chief legal counsel for Elon Musk’s super PAC, is among at least seven candidates in Texas vying for congressional seats this year, collectively receiving over $2.8 million in backing from AI-affiliated super PACs, as indicated by filings with the Federal Election Commission. Although these records reveal that pro-AI tech executives provide the majority of the funding, the PACs have kept their industry ties discreet, opting for innocuous names like Jobs and Democracy PAC and Defending Our Values PAC, while producing advertisements—such as the one for Gober—that refrain from mentioning technology directly.
The surge in spending by AI super PACs, which has financed advertisements and mail campaigns for candidates from both major parties, predominantly favors Republicans. This financial activity coincides with ongoing congressional discussions about regulating the rapidly evolving technology, as Texas experiences a significant rise in energy-intensive data centers. Many of the candidates supported by AI-related funding advocate for reduced regulations, though some groups are also backing those who propose stricter oversight.
American Mission has emerged as the leading AI-related spender in Texas, aiming to elect candidates in Congress who support a lighter regulatory approach. Since its inception, Leading the Future has raised over $50 million and has indicated it will endorse pro-AI candidates across party lines in the midterms, although its current expenditures in Texas have exclusively favored Republicans. By mid-March, American Mission accounted for more than 75% of AI-related PAC spending in the state’s congressional races.
Additional funding in Texas has come from two groups, Defending Our Values PAC and Jobs and Democracy PAC, which are aligned with Public First Action, a bipartisan nonprofit supported by AI company Anthropic, which has publicly reported a $20 million donation to the group. Public First Action prioritizes AI safety and transparency, advocating for stronger regulations, while benefiting from nonprofit status that allows it to keep donor identities undisclosed.
The extensive financial contributions from both pro- and anti-regulation PACs illustrate the ongoing political struggle over AI regulation that is set to unfold nationwide in the upcoming midterms.
Leading the Future criticizes existing AI regulations as impediments to innovation, asserting that it will support candidates who seek to establish a comprehensive national regulatory framework for AI rather than allowing individual states to create their own measures. In contrast, Public First Action emphasizes maintaining state-level authority over AI regulations, providing legal protections for whistleblowers who report unsafe practices by AI firms, and requiring advanced AI companies to disclose their activities to lawmakers and regulatory bodies in advance.
Paul Jorgensen, an associate professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley studying campaign finance, remarked, “AI is making strides to extend its influence across both parties. These PACs are striving to establish a cohesive pro-AI narrative, and this will undoubtedly impact how members of Congress cast their votes.”
Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, noted that AI-aligned super PACs are strategically targeting races based on their expectations for a positive return on their investments.
Additionally, a Meta-funded PAC has spent over $1.2 million on state-level primaries in Texas, including races for comptroller and legislative seats. This tech company operates AI data center facilities in Texas, where local authorities have faced off over the regulation of data center growth amid concerns about its impact on the state’s water resources. The issue is poised to be a central topic when the Legislature reconvenes in 2027, with both House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick prioritizing it for their sessions.
Focus on Open Congressional Primaries
In Texas, a wave of congressional retirements combined with the recent GOP-led redistricting has resulted in numerous open congressional races. American Mission has concentrated its efforts on these contests, aiding three candidates supportive of AI in securing Republican nominations amid crowded primary fields.
Gober, who received approximately $747,000 in support from American Mission by late February, is the leading beneficiary among Texas congressional candidates. Jessica Steinmann, another Republican who won her primary in Texas’ 8th Congressional District, garnered about $511,000 from the group.
In Gober’s case, American Mission accounted for nearly half of all advertising support for his campaign during the primary, according to media tracking firm AdImpact.
While many candidates endorsed by AI super PACs express their support for the technology on their campaign websites, public polls indicate that a significant number of voters remain wary of AI and oppose the establishment of data centers in their neighborhoods. Consequently, most advertisements produced by these PACs refrain from explicitly mentioning artificial intelligence. For instance, an American Mission ad for Steinmann emphasizes her commitment to “promote and advance American innovation” alongside other priorities like supporting law enforcement and improving affordability for residents.
Steinmann, vying to succeed retiring Rep. Morgan Luttrell, dedicates sections of her campaign website to AI and cryptocurrency, stating her focus on reducing regulations to maintain AI supremacy over China and fostering pro-growth policies to encourage crypto entrepreneurship at home.
Another recipient of AI industry support is Jace Yarbrough, a conservative attorney who secured the Republican nomination in North Texas’ newly drawn 32nd Congressional District after his closest rival exited the race ahead of the May 26 runoff. American Mission has contributed nearly $130,000 to Yarbrough, who lists his priority of surpassing China in AI investment and development on his campaign site. Yarbrough, looking to represent an area extending from Dallas into East Texas, aligns himself with the Trump administration’s focus on boosting domestic energy production, aiming to facilitate easier permitting for fossil fuel companies to enhance the country’s AI capabilities while promoting job growth and lower energy costs.
“If we restrict our energy production, we grant China an advantage,” Yarbrough stated. “I view the AI competition as crucial for our success, with energy and domestic production being the driving force behind that achievement.”
Tom Sell, another GOP candidate supported by American Mission, secured 40% of the vote in March—more than double that of any other primary opponent—though it fell short of the outright majority needed for a win in the Lubbock-based seat vacated by retiring Rep. Jodey Arrington. The group initially did not contribute to the first round, but promptly spent around $579,000 on pro-Sell advertisements and outreach in the early weeks of the runoff. If successful in the May election, Sell would be strongly positioned to win the general election in the predominantly Republican district.
Pro-Regulation PACs
Democratic candidate Colin Allred’s campaign features an AI chatbot powered by Claude, mimicking his six-month-old puppy, which allows users to inquire about his congressional aspirations.
One suggested prompt is, “Tell me about Colin’s plans for AI,” which returns a list of the former Dallas congressman’s objectives, including advocating for a federal AI framework that respects state regulations, investing in renewable energy for data centers, and implementing strategic semiconductor export controls to maintain an edge over China in the AI race.
Jobs and Democracy, the PAC aligned with Public First Action focusing on AI safety and governance, has invested nearly $150,000 in support of Allred, who is currently in a runoff against his successor, Rep. Julie Johnson.
Allred highlighted that the chatbot, available in multiple languages, removes barriers and provides voters with timely information about voting, aiming to reduce confusion during election day in Dallas County.
<p"It's essential to have representatives who comprehend the technology, are not intimidated by it, and wish to harness its benefits while also implementing relevant regulations," Allred expressed in an interview.
He also emphasized the necessity of managing the energy demands of data centers, cautioning that costs will ultimately affect working individuals. Allred advocates for a collaborative approach involving local, state, and federal responsibilities.
In March, Johnson addressed AI on the House floor, recognizing its vast potential while urging Congress to develop a regulatory framework for the technology. Following those remarks, Johnson stated that Congress must prepare the workforce for an AI-driven economy and criticized Allred’s chatbot, claiming it raised concerns about his approach to AI regulation in Congress.
“Regrettably, my opponent’s AI chatbot has disseminated misinformation regarding his record
