Josh Gottheimer AI PACs find common ground in New Jersey race
Two AI-linked super PAC camps with opposing regulation views are supporting Rep. Josh Gottheimer as Congress eyes new AI rules.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
4 min read
Josh Gottheimer AI PACs are turning a sleepy New Jersey House race into a telltale Washington money story: two AI-linked political operations that often clash over regulation are both lining up behind the same Democratic congressman, according to MarketWatch.
Gottheimer, a five-term Democrat from New Jersey’s 5th District, is expected to win re-election in a seat considered safe for his party. He did not face a primary challenger, MarketWatch reported.
That has not stopped two big artificial-intelligence political groups from moving in. Leading the Future, a super PAC tied to OpenAI allies and known for resisting broad AI regulation, has endorsed Gottheimer as one of a small group of House Democrats it is backing. Public First Action, an Anthropic-backed operation that favors stronger AI rules, has paid for TV ads praising him.
Why are AI super PACs backing Josh Gottheimer?
The draw is influence. Gottheimer is positioned to have a voice in AI legislation in the House, especially if Democrats take control after the November midterms, MarketWatch reported. He has sponsored AI-related bills and serves as co-chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy.
Michael Beckel, director of the money-in-politics reform program at Issue One, told MarketWatch that both sides of the AI regulation fight are trying to build a relationship with Gottheimer and get his attention as Congress considers rules for AI companies.
Temple University political scientist Robin Kolodny told MarketWatch that endorsements and donations can improve the chances of getting a meeting. She also said industry groups have reason to cultivate incumbents in safe seats, since most House members are likely to return even when only a smaller set of races is competitive.
What is the fight over AI regulation?
One central dispute is whether Congress should block states from setting their own AI laws. Supporters of federal pre-emption say a state-by-state system could burden companies and that Washington should set national rules. Critics say blocking state laws would wipe out current protections and prevent future safeguards.
Public First Action’s ad supporting Gottheimer says Washington is discussing a law that could stop states from protecting people from AI scams, according to MarketWatch. The ad urges viewers to call Gottheimer and ask him to support AI safeguards.
AdImpact, an ad-tracking firm, said Public First Action and its affiliate Jobs and Democracy PAC have spent $119,000 on TV advertising supporting Gottheimer, according to MarketWatch.
Public First Action spokesperson Anthony Rivera-Rodriguez told MarketWatch the group’s priorities include keeping state authority to protect families from AI harms, accountability and transparency for advanced AI companies, and export controls meant to keep powerful chips from adversaries such as China. He said Gottheimer has opposed some legislation that would override state AI laws.
Leading the Future strategist Josh Vlasto told MarketWatch the group supports national AI regulation with strong guardrails for children, users and communities. He also pointed to an earlier statement saying an initial New York AI measure would have left companies dealing with conflicting state and federal requirements.
How much money is behind the AI PAC push?
Leading the Future expects to have more than $100 million for the 2026 cycle, according to a release cited by MarketWatch. Public First Action has more than $40 million, including $40 million from Anthropic and $1 million from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, MarketWatch reported.
Leading the Future reported raising about $75 million as of June 30. MarketWatch reported that OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna Brockman, gave $25 million, while Andreessen Horowitz co-founders also each gave $25 million.
The same fight has already spilled into other races. In a New York Democratic primary, Leading the Future’s affiliate Think Big spent at least $6 million against state Assemblyman Alex Bores, who sponsored a state AI law. Jobs and Democracy, linked to Public First Action, spent nearly $4 million trying to help Bores, who lost to Micah Lasher, MarketWatch reported.
Gottheimer has been urged by the left-leaning Tech Oversight Project to reject Leading the Future’s endorsement. His office and campaign did not respond to MarketWatch’s request for comment.
This story draws on original reporting from MarketWatch.