Anthropic-backed AI group puts $3.5 million behind Scott Wiener’s House run

What happened

AI funding in politics raises questions about influence and regulation, highlighting tensions between industry ties and policy integrity. The money trail The group is Public First Action, an AI policy nonprofit that launched this election cycle.

13, 2026 An AI policy group funded by Anthropic has spent $3 million backing Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener in his campaign to succeed Nancy Pelosi in Congress. Anthropic is an artificial intelligence company based in San Francisco.

Anthropic is its primary funder, and it pushes for stronger AI regulation. According to the research findings, Public First Action committed the additional $3 million as of October 13, 2026.

Earlier in the cycle, the group directed $500,000 to a super PAC supporting Wiener’s bid. Advertisement The seat in question belonged to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Wiener is considered the leading candidate to take it over. Why Anthropic likes Wiener His first major swing was SB 1047, a California AI safety bill that was vetoed in 2024. It became one of the most fought-over tech bills of that year.