Super PAC networks backed by donors tied to OpenAI and by Anthropic have spent millions in New York City’s Democratic primary for the 12th Congressional District, with advertising and other outside spending focused heavily on state Assemblymember Alex Bores, a supporter of stricter AI oversight. The primary is scheduled for June 23, 2026.
The Democratic primary in New York’s 12th Congressional District, a Manhattan-based seat long held by Rep. Jerry Nadler, has drawn unusually heavy outside spending as rival factions in the artificial intelligence industry try to shape the debate over future regulation.
One Super PAC network, Leading the Future, has attracted major contributions from Silicon Valley donors including Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, according to campaign-finance reporting and political filings summarized by multiple outlets. The group and its affiliates have financed advertising in the NY-12 contest attacking Alex Bores, a Democratic state assemblymember who has made AI safety a central issue in his campaign.
A competing network associated with AI safety advocacy has also moved into the race. Public First Action has said it is backed by a major donation from Anthropic, and spending connected to its aligned political committees has supported Bores as he faces attacks from the pro-innovation Super PACs.
The surge of spending has made NY-12 a high-profile test case for how AI companies and their allies may engage in U.S. elections as Congress weighs potential guardrails for advanced AI systems. Bores has pointed to his work on New York’s Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act as evidence of his support for stronger oversight, while groups opposing him argue that sweeping restrictions could slow innovation.
The Democratic primary is scheduled for June 23, 2026, with the winner expected to be favored in the general election in the heavily Democratic district.
