Big Tech money isgetting involved in a Tampa Bay state Senate race.<\/p>\n
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is using a political committee to send out mailers backing state Rep. Fentrice Driskell, who is running against fellow Democratic state Rep. Michele Rayner for an open Florida Senate seat.<\/p>\n
The mailers, according to investigative journalist Jason Garcia, who was first to report<\/a> on Meta’s involvement, say that Driskell will keep fighting for access to healthcare, democracy, the economy and safety. They do not reference social media or artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n The mailers note that they were paid for by the Making Our Tomorrow political committee, which is linked to Meta. Data detailing how the PAC is otherwise spending money and where it is coming from is not yet publicly available.<\/p>\n Three Meta employees are listed<\/a> with the PAC on the state’s committee tracking system: Brian Rice, vice president of public policy; Nhi Pham, AI program manager; and Christopher Sgro, director of public affairs.<\/p>\n “Making Our Tomorrow’s mission is to elect Democrats who champion the policies, innovation, and technologies that drive opportunity for all Americans,” committeespokesperson Peter Kauffmann said in a statement to the Times.<\/p>\n Driskell has previously pushed back on efforts to regulate AI at the state level in favor of federal solutions, with the exception of the development of data centers, which she said “impacts the local.”<\/p>\n The representative said contributions to her campaignor spent in support of her don’t dictate how she votes on legislation and bristled at any implication that her campaign could be in partnership with the PAC or Meta.<\/p>\n “I did not ask for this, did not receive a communication about this, did not know this was coming,” Driskell said.<\/p>\n In July, Meta gave $2,500 to Driskell’s campaign. The company has spent $65 million<\/a> supporting AI-friendly candidates of both parties across the country, according to the New York Times.<\/p>\n In Florida, the company has also spent money trying to reelect Republicans such as state Reps. Mike Redondo of Miami and Jennifer Canady of Lakeland, and state Sens. Jay Trumbull of Panama City and Jim Boyd of Bradenton.<\/p>\n Driskell joins state Sen. Kristen Arrington of Kissimmee as Democrats who have gotten contributions from Meta. Driskell’s opponent, Rayner, has not.<\/p>\n “My record when it comes to standing up to Big Tech companies like Meta has been very clear,” Rayner said. “Obviously these companies find a friend and an ally in my opponent.”<\/p>\n In 2024, Rayner sponsored a law that bans children<\/a> under 14 from some social media platforms and requires parental permission for those under 16. Meta is part of trade associations appealing the law<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rayner was recently the target<\/a> of antagonistic mailers picturing her and President Donald Trump side-by-side and calling her a Republican. They were funded by People for Honor Project PAC, which received a $31,500 donation from a data center developer in Polk County.<\/p>\n All registered voters in Senate District 16, which includes parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, can take to the polls to vote for their pick in what’s called a universal primary<\/a>. Because the two Democrats are the only candidates in the race, the election will be decided at the Aug. 18 primaries.<\/p>\n \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage<\/p>\n Know your candidates: 2026 Florida election candidates: Primary voter guide<\/a><\/p>\n Congressional midterms: St. Petersburg and Wauchula are in the same congressional district. We drove it<\/a><\/p>\n Property tax amendment: DeSantis has claims about his tax amendment. Here’s what it actually does.<\/a><\/p>\n State races: Here’s who wants to represent Tampa Bay in Legislature, Cabinet primaries<\/a><\/p>\n Congressional candidates: Who’s running for the US House in Tampa Bay after redistricting?<\/a><\/p>\n