Congressional candidates are increasingly adopting AI tools for their campaigns. According to a Washington Post analysis from September 2026, 39 candidates reported payments to OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. However, experts believe this number is likely an underestimation due to campaigns using personal accounts or vague expense categories to hide the costs.
Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, spent the most among individual candidates, totaling roughly $3,260 on OpenAI services since 2025. The Republican National Committee led organizational spending, with payments approaching $9,700.
Around 30 PACs and political parties also reported payments to OpenAI. Additionally, one candidate used unspecified AI tools to draft communications and create synthetic media. At least two candidates violated OpenAI's own rules regarding political advertising.
