AI and Social Media Influence Campaigns in the 2026 Texas Municipal Elections

The 2026 municipal elections are witnessing a significant shift in campaign strategies, with social media platforms playing an increasingly prominent role. This trend, particularly noticeable in cities like Dax, Texas, involves both legitimate campaigning and the spread of misinformation, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as a key tool in these efforts.

The Rise of Social Media in Local Campaigns

For several months, a growing trend has been observed in Texas municipal campaigns: increased activity on social media platforms even before candidates officially launch their campaigns. This is particularly evident in Dax, where contentious debates are unfolding on Facebook, often bypassing traditional neighborhood meetings.

Facebook Pages and Political Advocacy

Several Facebook pages are actively involved in supporting or opposing candidates. The page “Dax, My city and I,” administered by Gilles Bourdillas and boasting over 22,400 members, openly supports Julien Dubois. The administrator has publicly stated a motivation of “pure revenge against the Dacquoise left.” This page shares official campaign content, satirical videos, and occasionally relays information from other pages.

Conversely, the page “Pour Dax et le pays dacquois,” with 800 subscribers, presents a critical assessment of Julien Dubois’s term since 2020, sometimes using questionable imagery, such as photos of trash dumping intended to portray a lack of public space maintenance.

Candidate Responses and Concerns

Julien Dubois has criticized his opponent, Viviane Loumé-Seixo, for using edited videos on her Facebook page to misrepresent his positions. He maintains that he posts full debates and avoids anonymous or fake profiles.

Viviane Loumé-Seixo has denounced the “violent methods and manipulation of information” being used by various teams, noting the deletion of critical comments and the use of insults rather than project-based criticism.

The Emergence of AI-Generated Content

A Facebook page called “Le Canard du Grand Dax,” administered by Vincent Piget, a candidate in Saugnacq-et-Cambran, utilizes AI to disseminate political content. This has led to two complaints from municipal candidates alleging defamatory content. The Dax public prosecutor’s office is currently reviewing these complaints.

Legal Challenges and Freedom of Expression

Julien Dubois noted that complaints regarding social media content have primarily been filed by socialist elected officials, raising questions about freedom of expression. He also mentioned a response page, “Lea Pare,” which he described as containing insulting content, but he has not filed a complaint himself.

The Spread of Misinformation

“Le Canard du Grand Dax” initially made an incorrect claim about the presence of candidates from France Insoumise on a list in Narrosse, which was later retracted.

Looking Ahead

As the March 15th municipal elections approach, the influence of social media and the use of AI in political campaigns are likely to continue to grow. The need for balanced, sourced information and responsible online engagement is crucial to ensure a fair and informed electoral process.