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AI Billionaires Pour $10M Into NYC Race to Stop Bores
5D AGOUSAINY-12 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

AI Billionaires Pour $10M Into NYC Race to Stop Bores

What's the gist?

A super PAC called Leading the Future, backed by Marc Andreessen, OpenAI's Greg Brockman, and Palantir's Joe Lonsdale, has pledged at least $10 million to defeat New York Assemblyman Alex Bores in the Democratic primary for NY-12. Six super PACs total have reportedly spent $30 million in this race.

Context

Alex Bores is a Manhattan state assemblyman who spent nearly a decade in tech before entering politics, specifically with Palantir, the company that runs ICE's core software. In 2025, he passed the RAISE Act, considered one of the strongest AI safety law in the country because it requires AI developers to disclose safety protocols. Now running for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Jerry Nadler, he faces a massive AI industry spending campaign against him.

Positive takes

Standing Up to Big Tech Money. Bores has become a rare politician willing to directly take on the AI industry. Supporters argue his tech background gives him the knowledge to write real guardrails, and that the industry's spending against him proves he's an effective threat to their unchecked power.
A Model for Democratic Populism. Bores frames the race as organized money versus organized people — echoing FDR's battle against "economic royalists." Backers say a Bores win could show other candidates that running on AI accountability is viable and that billionaire spending can be beaten.
Already Proven He Can Win. Bores beat the AI industry once before, passing the RAISE Act in Albany despite fierce opposition. Supporters say that track record of success — and his insider understanding of how tech companies operate — is exactly what Congress needs right now.

Negative takes

Flood of Outside Money on Both Sides. While Bores frames himself as the underdog, this race has attracted massive super PAC spending from multiple directions. Critics note the entire dynamic — $30 million flowing through six super PACs into a single House primary — raises serious questions about outside money distorting local democratic choice, regardless of which side it favors.
Credibility Questions Online. Observers have noted that pro-Bores social media activity has shown signs of coordinated or bot-like behavior, with identical robotic posting patterns flooding comment sections. Even those skeptical that Bores himself is responsible say it muddies the grassroots image his campaign projects.
Chilling Effect on Democratic Strategy. National Democratic leadership has reportedly told competitive candidates to avoid the AI issue entirely — suggesting Bores's approach may be politically risky. Critics argue that making AI regulation the centerpiece of a primary fight could alienate moderate voters and distract from bread-and-butter economic concerns.
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