AI-aligned super PACs are making a major push in Texas congressional elections, signaling the growing influence of technology interests in U.S. politics. In the March primaries, Republican Chris Gober aired ads branding him a “Trump conservative” and “MAGA warrior,” highlighting his support for technology investment to “defeat China.” The ad, which avoided any explicit mention of AI, was funded by American Mission, part of the Leading the Future super PAC network, which counts OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale among its backers.
American Mission spent roughly $372,000 promoting Gober, helping him secure the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Rep. Michael McCaul. Gober, a former chief lawyer for Elon Musk’s super PAC, is one of at least seven Texas congressional candidates receiving over $2.8 million collectively from AI-linked PACs. Despite the tech-heavy backing, these groups operate under generic names such as Jobs and Democracy PAC and Defending Our Values PAC, and most ads avoid mentioning AI.
The surge in spending comes as Congress debates AI regulation and Texas experiences a boom in energy- and water-intensive data centers. Most PAC support in Texas favors candidates advocating for fewer restrictions on AI, though some funds back candidates promoting stronger safeguards. American Mission has been the largest spender, focusing on Republicans in open-seat races, while other PACs aligned with nonprofit Public First Action, backed by AI company Anthropic, promote regulation and safety.
Leading the Future, which raised over $50 million in its first year, backs candidates favoring minimal regulation and a national AI framework. Public First Action and its aligned PACs prioritize state-level authority, whistleblower protections, and advance disclosure requirements for companies developing advanced AI. Analysts say this clash reflects a broader national struggle over AI policy.
Open-seat races in Texas have been a key target. Gober received $747,000 from American Mission, while Jessica Steinmann, Republican nominee in the 8th Congressional District, got $511,000. Jace Yarbrough in North Texas received $130,000, emphasizing domestic energy production as essential for AI infrastructure. Tom Sell in Lubbock benefited from $579,000 in pro-runoff ads. These candidates often highlight general technology and innovation messaging rather than AI explicitly, though campaign websites detail AI and crypto priorities.
Democrats have also drawn AI-related support. Colin Allred in Dallas received close to $150,000 from Jobs and Democracy PAC. He uses a Claude-powered chatbot on his campaign site to educate voters on AI, renewable energy for data centers, and federal AI frameworks that preserve state authority. Other Democratic candidates, including Rep. Julie Johnson, have emphasized the need for regulatory guardrails and workforce preparation in an AI-driven economy.
AI policy battles in Congress are intensifying. Hundreds of bills addressing AI content, privacy, and bias have been introduced but remain stalled. Federal leadership favors a national framework, while state-level regulation advocates argue it allows faster, tailored protections. The Biden administration recently urged Congress to override state laws that conflict with a minimal national standard, highlighting tensions between local and federal control.
Experts note that AI super PAC spending will shape congressional priorities. Candidates receiving financial backing are likely to support policies aligned with their benefactors, while policymakers may hesitate to oppose influential tech donors. The influx of money ensures that aligned candidates enter Congress ready to back pro- or regulated-AI agendas, depending on the PAC.
In Texas, 2026 is shaping up as a testing ground for AI’s political influence. With both pro- and anti-regulation PACs deploying millions, the midterms will not only determine congressional representation but could also influence how the U.S. navigates AI governance and the technology’s role in economic and national security policy.
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