AI industry super PAC discloses \$125 million haul and \$70 million cash reserve
webRelevant to AI governance watchers tracking how industry actors are shaping regulatory environments; the PAC's preference for federal over state AI regulation has direct implications for AI safety policy fragmentation debates.
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Summary
Leading the Future, an AI industry-backed super PAC, raised $125 million in late 2025 with $70 million cash on hand for the 2026 midterms. The group, funded by figures including Greg Brockman and Andreessen Horowitz partners, supports bipartisan candidates favoring federal AI preemption over a patchwork of state regulations. This represents a major organized effort by the AI industry to shape the legislative environment governing AI development.
Key Points
- •Leading the Future and affiliates raised $125M in H2 2025, entering 2026 with $70M cash on hand per FEC filings.
- •Major donors include Greg Brockman ($12.5M), Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz ($12.5M each), Joe Lonsdale, Ron Conway, and Perplexity.
- •The PAC's central goal is supporting candidates who back federal AI regulation to prevent fragmented state-level laws.
- •Initial electoral targets include opposing NY Democrat Alex Bores and supporting TX Republican Chris Gober.
- •Represents one of the largest organized AI industry political spending efforts, signaling growing lobbying power of the sector.
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| Page | Type | Quality |
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| Leading the Future super PAC | Organization | 73.0 |
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Key Points
Leading the Future and affiliates raised $125 million in late 2025, entering 2026 with $70 million cash on hand[1][2].
Major donors include OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman ($12.5 million), Andreessen Horowitz partners ($12.5 million each), Joe Lonsdale, Ron Conway and Perplexity[1][2][3].
The super PAC supports bipartisan candidates favoring federal AI regulation over state laws[1][2].
Initial spending targets New York Democratic candidate Alex Bores (opposed) and Texas Republican Chris Gober (supported)[1][2].
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Leading the Future, a super PAC backed by AI industry leaders, disclosed raising $125 million alongside affiliates in the second half of 2025, with $70 million in cash on hand entering 2026, according to Federal Election Commission filings released Friday[1][2]. The group aims to support candidates advocating federal AI regulation to avoid a patchwork of state laws.
Fundraising and Donors
Leading the Future raised $50.3 million directly, while affiliates Think Big and American Mission received $5 million transfers each from the super PAC[2]. Leading the Future held $39.3 million cash on hand as of December 31, with affiliates adding to the total of $70 million across the network[2]. Key individual contributions included $12.5 million each from OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife, as well as from Marc Andreessen and Benjamin Horowitz of Andreessen Horowitz[2]. Additional donors were Joe Lonsdale of Palantir, Ron Conway of SV Angel and AI company Perplexity[1][2][3].
Policy Goals and Early Spending
The super PAC backs candidates from both parties who support a national AI regulatory framework, opposing state-level laws that create compliance challenges for the industry[1][2][3]. Leaders Zac Moffatt and Josh Vlasto stated, “Leadership in AI innovation will define economic growth, national security, and America’s role in the global economy”[1][2]. The group has begun spending in two races: opposing New York Democratic congressional candidate Alex Bores, who authored a state AI safety law, and supporting Texas Republican Chris Gober, a lawyer for Elon Musk who favors AI infrastructure investments[1][2].
Affiliated Groups and Context
Leading the Future transferred funds to affiliates Think Big ($5.5 million total raised in late 2025), American Mission ($5.25 million) and advocacy group Build American AI[2]. Build American AI launched a $10 million campaign for uniform national AI policy[1]. This effort parallels other groups like Public First, which supports AI regulation candidates, amid rising state actions in New York, California, Massachusetts and Colorado[2][3].
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