Rutinel’s campaign has drawn significant support from individual employees at major AI and tech firms, totaling over $265,000, with Anthropic employees contributing the largest share at about $162,000 from 57 donors.

Democrat Manny Rutinel faces former state representative Shannon Bird; Rutinel emphasizes his Latino heritage and push on affordability and ICE reform, while Bird opposes AI regulation aimed at protecting innovation.

The Colorado Democratic primary for the 8th congressional district has become one of the state’s most expensive races, fueled by large donations from tech executives and their committees.

Rutinel’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

The story sits within a broader pattern of tech-industry spending in similar races nationwide, including notable AI-related spending in New York, North Carolina, and California.

The funding reveals a split among big-tech donors: some back candidates favored on AI regulation, others back contenders who would curb rapid AI growth.

Major funding for Rutinel includes at least $2 million from committees led by Eric Schmidt and Chris Larsen, with Schmidt’s Somos Pac contributing about $1.3 million and Larsen’s You Can Push Back contributing nearly $1 million.