AI Regulation Battle: High-Stakes Spending War Hits New York Primary
New York City voters are deciding Tuesday if massive spending from AI industry and safety groups can swing a congressional primary. In NY-12, the pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future spent over $8 million against candidate Alex Bores, while AI safety-aligned groups poured more than $20 million into his campaign, according to AdImpact.
Why is the NY-12 primary a litmus test for AI regulation?
The race to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler (D) has become a proxy war between two competing visions of tech oversight. On one side, industry-backed groups argue that strict state-level rules stifle innovation. On the other, safety advocates push for mandatory transparency and incident reporting.
The central flashpoint is the RAISE (Responsible AI Safety and Education) Act. This bill, which Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law last year, requires AI firms to publish safety protocols and report incidents. According to the Think Big PAC—the Democratic arm of Leading the Future—this creates a “chaotic patchwork of state rules” that could “crush innovation” and cost New York jobs.
Democratic strategist Eddie Vale told The Hill that the race serves as a test case for AI PACs to “poke and prod” and determine the most effective spending strategies for future elections.
How does the spending compare between industry and safety groups?
The NY-12 primary is now the second most expensive House primary on record, according to AdImpact. The financial disparity shows a heavy lean toward supporting Bores, though the attack ads against him were more aggressive than those against his main rival, Michah Lasher.
Spending Breakdown (via AdImpact):
- Against Alex Bores: $3.6 million
- Against Michah Lasher: $1.6 million
- Supporting Alex Bores: $9.3 million
- Supporting Michah Lasher: $8.6 million
The support for Bores came from several high-capital safety operations. Public First, backed by $20 million from Anthropic, spent over $15 million via its Jobs and Democracy PAC to support Bores. Other contributions included $3.3 million from Chris Larsen’s “You Can Push Back” PAC and $2.3 million from Dream NYC.
What happens if AI safety candidates win despite industry opposition?
A victory for Bores could signal that candidates can withstand massive industry-funded attack campaigns. Bores wrote in an opinion piece for The Nation that a win would prove the industry’s “intimidation campaign isn’t invincible.”
Conversely, Bores warned that if the industry succeeds in removing a pro-safety candidate through spending, it could create a “chilling effect” across statehouses and congressional offices nationwide. This dynamic would likely encourage tech firms to use super PACs to preemptively eliminate candidates who support mandatory safety disclosures before they reach Congress.
However, some strategists argue AI isn’t a standalone issue for voters. GOP strategist Chris Johnson told The Hill that AI is often bundled with broader concerns about energy costs, job loss, and social media safety, making it harder to pin the result on a single policy debate.
Will national AI policy move toward state or federal control?
The tension in NY-12 reflects a national struggle over jurisdiction. The Trump administration and groups like Leading the Future advocate for federal preemption to prevent different rules in different states. LTF co-strategist Josh Vlasto stated the group supports a national framework that helps the U.S. “win the race against China” while maintaining guardrails for kids and communities.
Despite the industry’s push, some major players like OpenAI and Anthropic have endorsed similar laws in California and Illinois. This creates a split within the industry: some firms prefer a “safety-first” regulatory environment to manage long-term risk, while others prioritize rapid deployment and minimal friction.
For more on how these laws impact business, see our guide on AI compliance trends or visit the official U.S. Congress legislative database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alex Bores?
Bores is a New York state assembly member and former Palantir engineer who authored the RAISE Act to increase AI safety transparency.
What is the RAISE Act?
It is a New York law requiring AI companies to report safety incidents and publish their safety protocols.
Why is the tech industry spending against Bores?
Groups like Leading the Future believe his approach to regulation creates a “patchwork” of rules that hinders innovation and job growth.
Do you think massive spending from tech firms should influence AI policy, or should state-level safety laws take priority? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on the intersection of tech and politics.