Key facts
- Polls closed Tuesday in a Democratic primary for an open congressional seat in New York City.
- Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, was a candidate in the race.
- The primary became a proxy fight among artificial intelligence interests.
- Alex Bores, a state Assembly member, faced opposition from some AI companies due to legislation he supported.
- Micah Lasher, another Assembly member and former Nadler aide, emphasized his government experience.
- George Conway, a former Republican and attorney, also competed for the nomination.
Polls closed Tuesday in a closely watched Democratic primary for an open congressional seat in New York City, featuring Jack Schlossberg, grandson of the late President John F. Kennedy, and a field of other candidates.
The race for the seat, left open by the retirement of longtime Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler, was highly contested and became a proxy battleground for artificial intelligence interests. Schlossberg, a political novice, leveraged his family name and social media presence to promote his message, stating that supporters were drawn to his experience and ideas.
However, Schlossberg also faced scrutiny regarding his limited professional background. He holds joint law and business degrees and previously worked briefly at the State Department's environmental bureau. He noted that family money provided him independence from traditional fundraising.
The campaign saw significant spending, with some tech and AI companies opposing candidate Alex Bores, a state Assembly member and former tech engineer, due to legislation he authored. Other AI firms reportedly supported Bores. Voters were inundated with campaign advertisements, particularly targeting Bores and rival Micah Lasher, a fellow Assembly member and former Nadler aide.
Lasher highlighted his extensive government experience, while Bores positioned himself as a reformer challenging powerful interests. George Conway, a prominent attorney and former Republican, also ran, having previously been involved with the anti-Trump organization The Lincoln Project. Carolyn Maloney, whom Nadler defeated in a 2022 primary, endorsed Bores, while Nadler backed Lasher.