Big Tech Spending Targets Two Arizona Congressional Races
Technology-focused political action committees are spending millions in two Arizona congressional races as AI and data center policy become major campaign issues. Candidates disagree over federal AI rules and whether Arizona should continue hosting data centers, while Congress has largely stalled new legislation.
Millions of dollars from AI-aligned political action committees are supporting candidates in two Arizona congressional races. Republican Jay Feely, running in Congressional District 1, supports investment in AI and data centers in Arizona, while Democratic opponent Amir Shah has said data centers should not be built in the desert. In District 4, the same PAC is backing Democratic incumbent Greg Stanton, who supports combining technological innovation with safety safeguards; Republican challenger Zuhdi Yasser did not respond to an Arizona voter guide questionnaire on AI regulation.
The report says Congress has paused work on new AI legislation as the election approaches. Lawmakers and technology companies remain divided over whether states should set their own rules or whether a uniform federal framework should supersede state laws, as well as whether AI companies should face civil or criminal liability for harms. Experts said the growing political attention reflects public concerns about AI's effects on consumers, workers and household costs.