When the Lies Aren’t Enough, Dark Money Resorts to Impersonation in SD3 Race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In Dark Money PAC Renew Minnesota’s latest attack ad, AI was used to impersonate Sen. Grant Hauschild

August 6, 2026

ST. PAUL, MN. — In their latest attack ad, Renew Minnesota, a Republican dark money PAC, used AI to steal the likeness of Senator Grant Hauschild. The deceptive ad raises serious questions about the ethical standards governing outside groups and the role of undisclosed dark money in Minnesota elections.

Sen. Hauschild voted with a bipartisan majority to outlaw the use of AI deepfakes to influence elections because they understood the threat this technology poses to our democracy. He also wrote the ban to stop elected officials from signing NDAs with tech companies, and is fighting to make Big Tech pay their fair share when they profit from selling our data. 

Hauschild remains committed to running a campaign about delivering on the issues, accountability where needed, and honest conversations with voters. Outside groups attempting to influence elections through deceptive tactics only erode confidence in the democratic process and distract from the real issues facing Minnesota families.

Minnesotans deserve transparency from organizations seeking to influence their votes and from campaigns that earn support through truth, not manipulation.

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