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Big AI Money Turns Manhattan Democratic Primary into Industry Proxy Fight

The June 23 primary is being treated as a test of whether politicians who back strict AI rules can survive concentrated tech‑industry spending.

FILE - Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, arrives at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)
FILE - Alex Bores, democratic candidate in New York's 12th Congressional District, speaks during "NY-12 for Congress: Candidate Forum" at 92NY, April 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
FILE - From left, Alex Bores, George Conway, Micah Lasher, and Jack Schlossberg, democratic candidates in New York's 12th Congressional District, and Errol Louis attend "NY-12 for Congress: Candidate Forum" at 92NY, on April 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
FILE - Dario Amodei, CEO & Co-Founder of Anthropic, speaks on a panel at the convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio in San Francisco, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Overview

  • The June 23 primary has drawn roughly six super PACs that together have spent nearly $30 million to influence the race for New York’s 12th District.
  • Leading the Future, backed by OpenAI‑linked investors and Silicon Valley figures, has spent about $7.6 million attacking Alex Bores.
  • Groups aligned with Anthropic and allied donors have spent more than $10 million supporting Bores and crypto investor Chris Larsen has pledged additional millions for him.
  • Bores is the author of New York’s RAISE Act, which requires major AI developers to disclose safety plans and report serious misuse, making his candidacy a focal point for regulation debates.
  • Observers say the contest both reflects a split inside the AI industry and could shape whether future state and federal officials are willing to push for strict AI oversight because voters and donors are watching the outcome.