39 Congressional Candidates Paid OpenAI as Some Used ChatGPT for Ads Despite Ban
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 5
39 Congressional Candidates Paid OpenAI as Some Used ChatGPT for Ads Despite Ban
2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 5
Summary
Thirty-nine congressional candidates reported paying for OpenAI this cycle, and two explicitly said in filings they used the tools for advertising even though OpenAI bars campaigns from generating ads with ChatGPT.
About 30 PACs and party committees also disclosed OpenAI payments, with the Republican National Committee the biggest political spender at roughly $9,700; Rep. Mike Lawler spent the most among candidates at about $3,260 since 2025.
Consultants said the filings likely undercount AI use because campaigns often avoid disclosing voter-facing applications that could alienate skeptical voters, even as they see AI as a competitive necessity.
Washington Post tests found ChatGPT enforced election rules unevenly, sometimes producing targeted fundraising texts or candidate donation emails and later refusing identical prompts.
The disclosures highlight a broader election risk: AI is already routine for campaign work, while regulators and researchers still worry it could accelerate microtargeting, disinformation and deepfake abuse.