Super PACs linked to major AI companies have poured nearly $30 million into Manhattan’s Congressional primary, turning Alex Bores’ campaign into a high-stakes proxy war over industry regulation.

Key Points

• Super PACs opposing Alex Bores, including Leading the Future and Think Big, have spent millions attacking his support for the state’s RAISE Act.
• Pro-Bores groups, including the Jobs and Democracy PAC linked to Anthropic, have countered with nearly $10 million in support.
• Bores, a former Palantir data scientist, is currently polling in a statistical tie for the lead against Assemblymember Micah Lasher.
• The race has become a focal point for the broader industry divide between companies favoring strict safety regulations and those opposing government oversight.
• Total outside spending in the district has reached approximately $30 million, significantly disrupting the traditional dynamics of the Manhattan primary.

Why it Matters

This race serves as a high-profile test case for how AI industry interests can influence local elections through massive, targeted super PAC spending. The outcome may set a precedent for whether tech companies can successfully use campaign finance to deter candidates from pursuing aggressive AI safety legislation.