a [citation needed] projectSupport

Public First

NetworkAI

A super PAC network that claims to be pushing for stronger AI regulation and safety guardrails, founded in response to the Leading the Future network. The lead committee, Public First, operates alongside the Democratic-focused Jobs and Democracy PAC (led by former Oklahama Democratic Representative Brad Carson) and the Republican-focused Defending Our Values (led by former Utah Republican Representative Chris Stewart). All are affiliated with Public First Action, a 501(c)(4) dark money group that is not required to disclose its donors. The network is funded chiefly by the AI company Anthropic. Despite its claims about “AI safety” and the public interest, critics have suggested that Anthropic is pushing policies that would benefit its business.

3 committees · 1 affiliated organization
PACs
$5.1M
raised · $4.6M spent
Super PAC · Republican focus · C00928390

Defending Our Values is the Republican-focused affiliate of the Public First network, which claims to push for stronger AI regulation and safety guardrails. It is led by former Utah Republican Representative Chris Stewart.

$2.8M
raised · $6.3M spent
Super PAC · Democratic focus · C00928374

Jobs and Democracy PAC is the Democratic-focused affiliate of the Public First network, which claims to push for stronger AI regulation and safety guardrails. It is led by former Oklahoma Democratic Representative Brad Carson.

$1.5M
raised this cycle
Super PAC · C00930503

Public First is the lead super PAC of the Public First network, which claims to push for stronger AI regulation and safety guardrails, founded in response to the Leading the Future network. It is funded chiefly by the AI company Anthropic. Despite its claims about “AI safety” and the public interest, critics have suggested that Anthropic is simply pushing policies that would benefit its business.

Affiliated organizations
$20M
reported · from Anthropic
Parent · 501(c)(4) · Dark money

Public First Action is a 501(c)(4) dark money group that serves as the parent organization of the Public First super PAC network, and is not required to disclose its donors. The AI company Anthropic has disclosed a $20 million contribution, but the group’s other backers are not public.

Combined raised
$9.4M
$5.1M by Defending Our Values, $2.8M by Jobs and Democracy PAC, $1.5M by Public First
Total spent
$10.9M
across 97 independent expenditures
Cash remaining
$0

Top donors

April 16, 2026$3,000,000February 24, 2026$1,500,000February 23, 2026$1,500,000February 17, 2026$650,000February 24, 2026$500,000February 17, 2026$350,000Public First Action, Inc · December 24, 2025$50,000
Public First Action Inc.
$1,000,000
February 24, 2026$1,000,000
University of California
$500,000
Michael Cohen · Post Doctoral Researcher · January 8, 2026$500,000
$215,000
Redacted Redacted Redacted, Redacted Trader
$85,000
$50,000
Donovan Liam Trader
$5,000
Adobe
$3,000

Related companiesTop contributors by total given

AI company
Given $7.5M to the network
AI company
Given $215K to the network
AI company
Given $50K to the network

Network spending$10.9M across 12 races

Support
  • Democrat$5.9M (54%)
  • Republican$4.5M (42%)
Oppose
  • Democrat$0 (0%)
  • Republican$98K (1%)

By candidateTop 8 of 12

  • Support Alexander Bores (D)$3.5M (32%)
    New York House District 12 · via Jobs and Democracy PAC
  • Support Valerie Foushee (D)$1.6M (15%)
    North Carolina House District 4 · via Jobs and Democracy PAC
  • Support Carlos De La Cruz (R)$1.5M (14%)
    Texas House District 35 · via Defending Our Values
  • Support Celeste Maloy (R)$879K (8%)
    Utah House District 3 · via Defending Our Values
  • Support Kevin Hern (R)$808.3K (7%)
    Oklahoma Senate · via Defending Our Values
  • Support Alexandra Mealer (R)$646.3K (6%)
    Texas House District 9 · via Defending Our Values
  • Support Brian Poindexter (D)$512.5K (5%)
    Ohio House District 7 · via Jobs and Democracy PAC
  • Support John Cowan (R)$451.9K (4%)
    Georgia House District 11 · via Defending Our Values