Technology, Privacy and AI

State AI laws

14 public statements from 2026 candidates

§1The range of views

Why this matters: This decides whether AI companies follow one set of national rules or different rules in each state, and whether states can act on AI problems on their own.

Drafted by AI, then checked for neutral wording in a separate AI review. It describes the question and the main positions, not any candidate's view. Facts link to their sources.

Whether federal law should override state AI laws, such as Colorado's, so that one national approach applies instead; a 2025 executive order directed the attorney general to set up a task force to challenge state AI laws in court.1,2

  1. Override state AI laws with a single national approach
  2. Set national rules as a minimum and let states add stronger ones
  3. Let states keep writing their own AI laws

These options describe policies, not people. The order is not a ranking.

§2What candidates have said

Why this matters: Statements candidates made publicly, summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Candidates who haven't spoken publicly on this issue aren't listed.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Override state AI laws with a single national approach (1)

  • Melissa Hernandez CA-14
    Her campaign website says she supports federal standards for artificial intelligence rather than a patchwork of 50 state laws.3

Set national rules as a minimum and let states add stronger ones (3)

  • Eric Jones CA-4
    His campaign website says there should be one strong federal framework for AI that sets a floor, with states such as California free to go further.4
  • Jamie Joyce CA-12
    The MAD Act's website says the bill sets a federal floor for AI protections and keeps state and local laws that give equal or greater protection.5
  • John "Drew" Williams KY-1
    His campaign website proposes a State and Local AI Authority Act that would make federal AI protections a minimum standard and protect state and local governments' authority to adopt stronger safeguards.6

Let states keep writing their own AI laws (3)

  • Angela Gonzales-Torres CA-34
    Her campaign website says she would defend California's authority to regulate AI and oppose federal preemption of state safety and civil rights rules.7,8
  • Dave Bushaw IA-2
    His platform page raises concerns about a federal executive order that it says blocks states from responding to the effects of AI development and data centers, and says he will defend state and local rights to regulate the expansion of private data centers.9
  • Amanda Janoo VT Governor
    Her campaign website says states have real power to regulate AI and should use it, and it proposes working with other states on common standards and enforcement.10

Statements that don't match one option (7)

  • Scott Wiener CA-11
    His campaign website says he opposes a federal moratorium on state AI regulation and would defend states' ability to act when Congress does not.11
  • Sam Liccardo CA-16
    His campaign website says Congress should use federal preemption to block state AI testing mandates like California's SB 1047 until the technology matures, and favors uniform national rules over 50 different state regimes.12,13
  • Luke Bronin CT-1
    His campaign website says Congress should build on Connecticut's recent AI legislation protecting kids, workers and whistleblowers.14
  • Donna Miller IL-2
    Her campaign website says that in the absence of a robust federal framework, states should be able to regulate AI based on the needs of their communities.15
  • John Deaton MA Senate
    His campaign website says he supports a federal AI standard with a three-year safe harbor before states add their own requirements, after which states could build on the federal framework.16
  • Dan Schwartz MD-1
    His campaign website says he would reverse the ban on state-level regulation of artificial intelligence.17
  • Abdul El-Sayed MI Senate
    His campaign website says he opposes efforts to preempt state AI laws before federal legislation is in place.18