The NY Congressional Race on the Frontlines of an AI Industry Civil War
In a significant political clash, artificial intelligence investors have injected over $1 million into a competitive New York City congressional primary aimed at defeating Alex Bores, a Democratic state lawmaker known for advocating new regulations in the AI sector.
However, Bores’ campaign is simultaneously buoyed by an opposing faction within the tech industry: numerous AI experts and rank-and-file tech workers who support robust government regulations. This juxtaposition has created a costly civil war within the tech realm, centered in the Manhattan district vacated by long-serving Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler.
A Civil War in Big Tech
This electoral battle may foreshadow a broader schism within the AI industry and possibly within both major political parties in the near future. As a member of the New York Assembly, Bores proposed a state law aimed at establishing guardrails against catastrophic risks associated with AI technologies. In response, the AI industry PAC known as Leading the Future designated Bores as its primary target, launching a $1 million ad campaign against his candidacy.
Despite this opposition, Bores is attracting significant financial support from the other side of the debate. In the last quarter of 2025, his campaign amassed over $364,000 from individuals at leading AI labs and about $420,000 from employees at AI safety organizations, many of whom are aligned with the ideology of effective altruism. This philosophy views AI as a potential existential threat to humanity, and many of these organizations are funded by tech billionaires.
The Financial Landscape
Bores stated, “A small group of AI oligarchs who want to avoid any meaningful oversight are running a shameless and aggressive campaign against me.” He highlighted that the support from individuals involved in AI safety indicates that “engineers and rank-and-file employees who are closest to the technology know how powerful it is.” The donations he received accounted for roughly a third of his total campaign haul of $2.2 million last quarter, nearly $1 million more than his closest primary rival.
Conversely, the PAC attempting to unseat Bores is heavily funded by some of the most prominent figures in the tech industry. Donors to Leading the Future include the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI President Greg Brockman, and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale.
Contrasting Perspectives
Brad Carson, a former Representative and leader of the super PAC Public First, which supports AI regulations, noted that Bores’ fundraising success suggests backing reasonable regulations is a smart political strategy. He argued that “the people who are working in OpenAI or Anthropic or Google DeepMind are on the side of Public First, not on the side of Leading the Future.”
In contrast, a spokesperson for Leading the Future claimed that the contributions supporting Bores indicate he is backed by “an extreme ideological dark money network,” suggesting that Bores is beholden to a movement that seeks to control innovation based on personal interests.
Corporate Contributions
Significantly, employees from Anthropic, a startup focused on developing safe AI models, were among the top contributors to Bores’ campaign, donating a total of $168,500. Employees at major firms like Google, OpenAI, and Palantir also contributed substantial amounts, further showcasing the divide within the industry.
While the California state senator and Democratic House candidate Scott Wiener has also received significant support from AI safety groups, Leading the Future has yet to oppose his campaign, demonstrating a strategic focus on Bores in New York.
Future Implications
Leading the Future remains committed to defeating Bores in New York and has recently announced raising $125 million, with $70 million readily available. Meanwhile, Public First has raised “tens of millions” of dollars and is progressing toward its $50 million goal, indicating a robust commitment to supporting candidates favoring regulation.
As the political landscape around AI continues to evolve, the New York congressional race serves as a pivotal battleground that may shape future discussions on technology governance.
