How a Democratic heavyweight is using AI in the midterms

A Democratic Opposition Research Initiative Utilizes AI for the Midterms

A formidable player in the realm of Democratic opposition research is launching an extensive online repository of its findings in preparation for the upcoming midterms. This initiative, spearheaded by American Bridge 21st Century, is leveraging artificial intelligence to assist various stakeholders, from political campaigns to podcast creators, in navigating this wealth of information.

First disclosed to POLITICO, this project marks an ambitious expansion of American Bridge’s efforts ahead of the pivotal 2026 midterms, reflecting the shifting landscape of political campaigning and opposition research amidst a fragmented media environment.

“Swing voters are generally speaking getting their information very ambiently,” remarked Pat Dennis, President of American Bridge, during an interview.

He highlighted a recurring challenge in recent election cycles: the issue is not a shortage of opposition research, but rather the difficulty of effectively communicating it when voters increasingly turn to podcasts, social media influencers, or group chats for political news. “If people can’t find it or read it, it’s no good,” Dennis noted succinctly.

Introducing Research Books: A New Tool for Voter Engagement

The newly launched platform, Research Books, serves as a public-facing website hosting opposition research on numerous Republican candidates in critical races identified by American Bridge as pivotal for determining Congressional control. Additionally, it encompasses select statewide candidates.

Each candidate’s page is equipped with messaging focused on significant votes, candidate-specific research, and, in certain cases, videos featuring Democratic trackers alongside sample media that closely mimic campaign advertisements.

Furthermore, the platform incorporates an AI-driven search tool designed to synthesize diverse information about a candidate into cohesive messaging. Notably, this AI agent draws exclusively from the super PAC’s internal database, steering clear of external sources or the broader internet.

Search results hyperlink back to original sources, which include news articles, videos, and public records. The tool also connects with other prominent large language model platforms like ChatGPT.

A Shift in Opposition Research Strategy

The concept of publicly sharing opposition research files, rather than restricting access to party operatives for strategic use, is not entirely novel for American Bridge. Ahead of the 2020 election, the organization made 1,043 pages of opposition research on President Donald Trump available online for other Democratic groups to utilize.

This public-sharing approach serves as a strategic maneuver for super PACs to navigate campaign finance laws that prohibit direct coordination.

Given that the new research tool is publicly accessible, it holds potential utility for Democratic campaigns and other external groups. However, American Bridge aspires for its impact to extend even further, reaching influencers and everyday voters.

Targeted Candidate Focus for the 2024 Midterms

For its initial public launch, Research Books features 15 Republican House incumbents in districts that Democrats are eager to flip, alongside Republican Senate candidates in four battleground states. This also includes Georgia, where Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is vying for reelection.

The initial roll-out extends to 15 candidates for governor or attorney general in key states such as Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Hampshire, and Iowa.

The inclusion of attorney general candidates represents a novel territory for American Bridge, reflecting the significant role these officials have played in litigating against the Trump administration, as Dennis highlighted. He anticipates that the tool will expand to encompass more races and candidates as the midterms approach, with the super PAC aiming to cast a wider net for Democratic outreach.

“There are times where opposition research can fundamentally reshape a race, so we prefer to take an expansive view on this,” he concluded, underscoring the tool’s potential to make a substantial impact in the political arena.