GoKawiilFeaturing Christine Campigotto, Senior Director of Policy Impact and Operations, Lyft; Hannah Fried, Cofounder and CEO, All Voting Is Local and Deirdre Schifeling, Chief Political and Advocacy Officer, ACLU. Moderated by Amy Farley, Executive Editor, Fast Company The 2026 midterm elections are shaping up to be a consequential moment not just for American politics, but for business leaders. The outcome could reshape policies affecting trade, immigration, technology, and the economy. And at the same time, state-level elections could have an outsize impact on companies as states increasingly set their own rules on issues ranging from AI and data privacy to climate and energy. This panel will examine the political forces and voting dynamics shaping the election—and what business leaders should be watching.
The Midterms Matter: What Business Leaders Need to Know Now
Why This Matters
With federal policy gridlock pushing more regulatory action to the state level, the 2026 midterms could significantly reshape rules on AI, data privacy, climate, and energy that directly affect how companies operate. Business leaders need to understand these shifting political dynamics now, as state-level outcomes may matter as much as federal ones for corporate strategy and compliance.
Key Takeaways
- State elections increasingly determine rules on AI, data privacy, climate, and energy, making them critical for business planning.
- The 2026 midterms could reshape federal policy on trade, immigration, technology, and the broader economy.
- Business leaders should closely monitor voting dynamics and political forces at both state and federal levels ahead of the election.
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