A single Democratic primary in Manhattan this week became a proxy war between Silicon Valley's biggest players, with pro-AI and regulation-skeptical groups pouring tens of millions into a congressional contest that ultimately delivered a message neither side fully anticipated.
The race for New York's 12th district drew more than $24 million in tech-backed spending, transforming a state assembly primary into one of the most expensive contests of its kind in New York history. The money flowed from opposing corners of the AI industry: groups backed by OpenAI and major venture capitalists spent over $8 million against candidate Alex Bores, while regulation-supporting organizations countered with more than $16 million in his favor.
Bores, who had sponsored an AI safety bill, became the lightning rod for this conflict. Yet when votes were counted Tuesday, he finished second to Michael Lasher, who had the endorsement of the district's outgoing representative, Jerry Nadler, and stronger ties to the Democratic establishment. The twist: Lasher co-sponsored the same AI safety legislation Bores championed and also called for reining in big tech.
The muddied outcome underscores how difficult it remains to measure the actual impact of campaign spending in crowded primaries. Jack Schlossberg, backed by Kennedy family connections, finished third, while anti-Trump Republican George Conway rounded out the field. Whether the tech millions truly swayed voters or merely raised candidates' profiles remains an open question.
What is clear is that NY-12 signals a coming flood of AI industry money into this year's midterm campaigns. The groups that muscled their way into Manhattan are already positioned to replicate the effort elsewhere. Leading the Future, the OpenAI-backed committee that opposed Bores, has raised over $75 million this year and counts venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz among its backers. Public First Action, which supports AI regulation, has pulled in more than $20 million from Anthropic.
The spending outside these formal committees is equally telling. Elon Musk continues channeling money through his America PAC, while cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen established You Can Push Back Super PAC with millions in backing. Larsen alone contributed $3.5 million to support Bores in the primary.
In practice, the tech cash materialized as a deluge of attack ads that often stretched the truth. One Jobs and Democracy PAC ad supporting Bores appeared as a fabricated front page of the New York Daily News, triggering complaints from the newsroom's union. Pro-tech groups countered with ads hammering Bores over his past employment at Palantir, the surveillance company, and its contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "He's got a master's in computer science, but he's an expert in hypocrisy," one Leading the Future spot declared, referencing his work on ICE deportation technology.
Bores disputed the characterization, claiming he left Palantir specifically because of its ICE dealings, and sent cease-and-desist letters challenging the ads' accuracy. His supporters argued the spending at least elevated the conversation around AI regulation in public discourse, regardless of the primary outcome.
Lasher's victory speech hinted at the political minefield candidates now navigate when tech money floods their races. "I have some news for the two big AI companies who've taken such an unusual interest in who won this congressional seat," Lasher said. "I won't be taking my cues from either of you when it comes to protecting our kids, our jobs, our environment."
The comment reflected a broader risk for the tech industry: while its money can shape electoral dynamics, voters increasingly associate Big Tech with unpopular positions. Even winners in tech-backed contests feel compelled to publicly distance themselves from their benefactors.
Author James Rodriguez: "The real test isn't whether tech money can win individual races, it's whether unlimited spending on AI politics will breed backlash faster than companies can spend to prevent it."
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