Key facts
- New York's 12th Congressional District primary has a crowded field of candidates.
- State Assemblyman Alex Bores is a prominent figure in AI-safety regulation.
- Super PACs funded by executives from OpenAI, Palantir, and Andreessen Horowitz are targeting Bores.
- Anthropic is supporting Alex Bores.
- The race is seen as an indicator of Silicon Valley's influence on AI regulation.
- The primary election is scheduled for June 23.
The race for New York's 12th Congressional District primary is a complex contest featuring candidates like State Assemblyman Micah Lasher, Assemblyman Alex Bores, Jack Schlossberg (grandson of JFK), and George Conway. The district, which includes affluent areas of Manhattan, is reliably Democratic but not uniformly progressive. This election is the first open primary since 1992. Recent polling indicates Lasher has a slight lead, with a significant number of undecided voters. Lasher emphasizes his legislative experience, while Bores has gained national attention for his work on AI safety legislation. This focus has made Bores a target for super PACs funded by tech executives from OpenAI and Palantir, who appear to be using the race to influence AI regulation discussions. Anthropic, conversely, supports Bores. The external spending and focus on AI have amplified Bores's profile.