Political action committees tied to AI labs and investors have spent close to $1 million on an obscure Senate race in South Dakota, according to WIRED. That amount is larger than the total contributed by residents of the state, a sign of how much outside money can dominate even low-profile contests.
The seat is reliably Republican and currently held by an incumbent, yet the influx of AI-linked PAC cash suggests the industry is willing to spend heavily in races that might otherwise attract little attention. The report highlights the growing political footprint of AI companies and their backers, who are deploying resources well beyond major national campaigns.