SAN FRANCISCO − Venture capitalists backing Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign have outlined their priorities in a survey released on Wednesday, emphasizing women’s reproductive rights, climate action, and a more favorable approach to startups.

Out of the nearly 800 venture capitalists who signed an open letter endorsing the Democratic candidate, 225 provided detailed insights into their support through a survey first reported by Reuters.

Almost all respondents believed that overturning Roe v. Wade, which upheld abortion rights, was a mistake, with some indicating it negatively impacts women in the workplace.

“These are not just social issues; they are business issues,” stated Leslie Feinzaig, CEO of Graham & Walker, who initiated the pledge. Her firm invests in women-led businesses.

Appreciation for Harris, Yearning for Obama Era

Investors and industry leaders perceive Vice President Harris, who has strong ties to Silicon Valley, as a tech-friendly candidate willing to engage with the sector.

They expressed nostalgia for the Obama administration, which actively embraced and collaborated with the tech industry. In contrast, the current political climate in Washington has turned more critical.

The open letter, titled “VCs for Kamala,” revealed in July, features prominent venture capitalists like LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures.

The 225 anonymous respondents to the survey included 62% men, 66% identified as white, and most were between the ages of 35 and 64. Although party affiliation was not required, 70% self-identified as Democrats and 30% as Republicans or independents, according to the survey organizers.

About 97% of respondents wanted leaders who understand technologies like AI and cryptocurrency to create effective regulations, and nearly 92% believed the government needs to recruit more tech-savvy personnel, according to the survey results.

U.S. Falling Behind Europe in AI Regulation

Reuters also spoke with entrepreneurs beyond the investor-targeted survey to gauge broader desires among Harris’ tech supporters.

Regarding AI, entrepreneur Eric Ries, author of “The Lean Startup,” emphasized, “We need highly skilled individuals in government who are well-versed in both military and civilian applications, particularly in anticipating future developments.”

Compared to Europe, the U.S. has been slow to enact comprehensive AI legislation, although President Biden issued an executive order last year requiring AI companies to report safety evaluations that highlight security or health risks.

Aaron Levie, CEO of the cloud-computing firm Box, suggested that current regulations should prioritize how technology is applied rather than focusing on AI models that are still evolving.

“Regulatory frameworks will play a crucial role in setting the future direction of our industry and our leadership in AI,” Levie stated, adding that immigration policy is also important.

Approximately 94% of survey participants indicated the necessity for an increase in high-skilled H-1B visas, an essential resource for tech firms recruiting international talent. Additionally, there is a call for simplification of the process for startups wishing to go public or merge with larger companies based on the survey results and interviews conducted.

Elon Musk and Other Tech Giants Support Trump

Harris isn’t the only candidate receiving tech industry backing.

Donald Trump, Harris’ Republican opponent in the upcoming Nov. 5 election, has garnered support from notable figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk and influential venture capitalists including Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.

Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, is a former venture capitalist who co-founded a tech donor network aimed at shifting the U.S. political landscape to the right, as reported by Reuters.

Trump has pledged to advance technology that supports free speech and intends to reverse Biden’s AI executive order, which critics such as Horowitz argue is overly specific about technical requirements.

Meanwhile, Democratic supporters have highlighted Biden’s accomplishments and Harris’ efforts to secure voluntary corporate commitments about AI. However, neither candidate has outlined specific AI regulatory plans for their potential presidencies.

Neither the Harris nor Trump campaigns provided comments for this article.

Silicon Valley likely welcomed Harris’ speech accepting the party’s nomination last week.

The candidate stated that if elected president, she would aim to establish the U.S. as the leading nation in artificial intelligence and assist entrepreneurs in obtaining funding—points that are not commonly discussed in political campaigns, noted Kieran Snyder, a startup CEO who played a role in the “VCs for Kamala” survey.

A fundraiser hosted by Harris in San Francisco this month generated over $12 million, according to her campaign. In July, while Biden was still the candidate, she gathered support through a video conference encouraged by Hoffman for others to attend.

The poll revealed that 98% of participants felt a handful of wealthy individuals couldn’t truly represent their opinions.

‘Against Business’

Certain Silicon Valley business leaders still have concerns about the Democratic party. For example, Biden’s Federal Trade Commission, led by Lina Khan, has initiated lawsuits against Amazon, Microsoft, and other companies over suspected monopolistic practices.

Hoffman and industry veteran Barry Diller expressed a desire for Harris to take over Khan’s role, but neither indicated their economic plans for the future administration when contacted. A spokesperson for the FTC commented on their earlier statements, highlighting Khan’s role in safeguarding consumers and innovators from corporate overreach.

Chris Larsen, the founder of Ripple Labs, a blockchain payment company, expressed his wish for Harris to address what he perceives as the government’s unfavorable stance toward businesses. He pointed to figures like Gary Gensler, who presides over the Securities and Exchange Commission and has pursued legal action against cryptocurrency firms. The SEC, which filed a lawsuit against Ripple during Trump’s presidency, did not provide comments on this matter.

Regarding Harris, Larsen remarked: “Hope is back on the agenda!”