Pro-AI Super PAC Network Had Limited Impact in the 2026 Midterms

Leading the Future had limited influence in the 2026 midterms, despite setting out to shape congressional races in support of the AI industry.

The network includes political groups that back both Republicans and Democrats and was created to oppose policies it sees as restricting innovation.

It began with about $100 million from tech industry backers and spent roughly $26 million on primary races.

In New York, it funded attack ads against Democrat Alex Bores, who ran on AI safety; he finished second in a crowded primary, while Micah Lasher won.

The network’s spending in the general election largely went to candidates in safe races, rather than close contests where it might have affected the outcome.

It ended the midterms with more than $20 million still in the bank, and reported no donations in the second and third quarters.

The results came as polling showed widespread distrust of big tech, and an NBC exit poll found that 56 percent of voters said AI and data centers played a major role in their vote.