U.S. midterm election spending has reached a record this year, driven by companies in crypto, artificial intelligence, and other sectors. According to Foresight News, data compiled by the nonprofit Public Citizen showed that U.S. companies spent an unprecedented $517 million in the past 15 months on the 2026 U.S. House and Senate elections, surpassing the previous record of $461 million in corporate spending over the two years leading up to the 2024 election.

The figure does not include an expected surge in campaign spending during the final phase of the November 3 general election. Critics said the spending could amplify the influence of a small number of niche interest groups and shift attention toward issues such as crypto and AI regulation, data center energy demand, and online gambling oversight, rather than topics they view as more directly tied to the public, including high gasoline prices and health care. Supporters said it gives emerging industries the same voice that other corporate interest groups have long enjoyed.