Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping political advertising during the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, with campaigns employing AI-generated videos and images to deliver persuasive, and sometimes misleading, messages. The technology’s growing use marks a dramatic shift in how candidates and outside groups engage voters.

One of the tightest Senate races unfolding in Ohio exemplifies this trend. Incumbent Republican Sen. Jon Husted faces Democrat Sherrod Brown, a former senator seeking to return to Capitol Hill after a two-year absence. In April, a Republican super PAC released an AI-produced advertisement portraying a lifelike but fabricated version of Brown as an unwelcome guest at a birthday party. The ad, aiming to cast Brown in an unflattering light, shows the digitally created figure disrupting the celebration, accompanied by a narrator declaring, “Party’s over, Sherrod.”

Critics have labeled such synthetic political content “slopaganda,” a combination of “AI slop” and “propaganda.” The Wesleyan Media Project—a group that monitors election advertising—reported that by early September, at least 164 AI-generated or enhanced political ads had aired during this cycle, backed by nearly $80 million in spending by candidates and allied organizations. That number has since approached 180. Michael Franz, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, noted that AI enables campaigns to convey strong emotional messages swiftly and inexpensively through highly realistic or satirical content.

While Democrats have expressed apprehension about the technology’s use, Republicans have adopted AI advertising aggressively. Approximately 80% of AI ads tracked by the Wesleyan Media Project originate from GOP-affiliated candidates or groups. This divide partly reflects differing stances on data centers, which underpin AI infrastructure. Democrats, including Brown, have criticized the expansion of data centers, framing them as problematic for local communities, while Republicans generally support their development.

AI-generated spots have been used in various ways, from humorous caricatures to more controversial “deepfake” videos that depict candidates engaging in actions they never performed. Texas provides a recent example of the legal and ethical complexities involved. Democrat Vikki Goodwin filed a police report in September alleging that Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s campaign violated Texas law by distributing a deceptive deepfake video portraying her endorsing “soda tax, brisket tax, happiness tax” at a football game. Texas law forbids creating or disseminating such manipulative content within 30 days of an election if it intends to damage a candidate’s reputation or influence voters. Patrick’s campaign classified the videos as parodies and insisted none were shared within the restricted period. Following complaints, the controversial posts were removed from Patrick’s social media accounts, but Goodwin’s campaign has pressed for authorities to investigate and obtain the deleted videos.

Similarly, in Texas’ competitive Senate race, GOP groups have targeted Democratic nominee James Talarico with AI ads highlighting culture war themes. One advertisement featured a computer-generated Talarico mockingly commenting on his own past tweets, while another showed a fabricated scene of him defacing a Bible with a crayon.

Democratic campaigns have condemned such tactics as fabrications and highlighted the absence of substantive attacks against their candidates. Despite these concerns, political analysts suggest that AI’s capability to evoke emotional responses could make it an increasingly valuable tool for both parties as the midterms progress.

With few legal safeguards currently regulating AI-generated political advertising at the federal level, the 2026 midterms are acting as a testing ground for new campaign strategies and potential electoral repercussions. Whether AI ads persuade voters or deepen skepticism remains to be seen, but their rapid rise undeniably signals a new chapter in American political communications.