Key facts
- Over $26 million in outside spending has entered the New York 12th congressional race.
- Much of the funding comes from tech industry groups, including AI and crypto interests.
- Jobs and Democracy, linked to Anthropic, is a major donor with $12 million.
- Crypto billionaire Chris Larsen's group, You Can Push Back, has spent over $3 million.
- Opponents accuse candidates of being influenced by this outside spending, calling it 'dark money'.
Tens of millions of dollars have been injected into the race for New York's 12th congressional district, primarily from tech industry interests, sparking accusations of 'dark money' and undue influence. Alex Bores, a candidate in the race, has benefited from approximately $18 million in spending from groups framing themselves as pro-AI regulation. Key donors include Jobs and Democracy, a super PAC linked to Anthropic, which contributed $12 million, and You Can Push Back, a group backed by crypto billionaire Chris Larsen, which spent over $3 million. Guardrails Alliance, supported by unions and tech workers, added around $300,000.
This significant influx of cash has drawn sharp criticism from Bores' opponents, who argue that such funding compromises his ability to be an independent voice on tech policy. The group Think Big has actively campaigned against Bores, accusing him of being 'bought and sold' and highlighting the 'hypocrisy' of spending tied to Anthropic. State Assemblymember Micah Lasher, another frontrunner, has also faced scrutiny over outside spending, with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg funneling at least $10 million into a super PAC supporting his candidacy. Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg, also a contender, expressed a desire for 'disinterested regulators' rather than those bankrolled by specific companies.
Critics, including a quote from Rep. Jerry Nadler endorsing Lasher, have decried the spending as a 'web of shadowy super PACs' and 'dark money' attempting to influence the election outcome.