How a New York Assemblyman became the focal point of a national AI proxy war
In short: Alex Bores, a data scientist turned politician, found himself at the center of a massive political spending battle. His 2026 congressional campaign became a proxy fight between competing AI giants, illustrating how rapidly advancing technology is reshaping the landscape of American democracy and the influence of corporate-aligned super PACs.
Born in Manhattan in 1990, Alex Bores spent his early career as a data scientist and consultant, including a stint at Palantir. After being elected to the New York State Assembly in 2022, he quickly pivoted to technology policy. He gained national recognition for co-sponsoring the Responsible AI Safety and Education Act, a legislative effort that aimed to establish significant safety standards for artificial intelligence. Though the bill was eventually signed into law in December 2025, it was notably weakened by Governor Kathy Hochul before passage.
Bores's political trajectory shifted toward the national stage in October 2025 when he announced his candidacy for New York's 12th congressional district. His platform centered on the intersection of technology and governance, specifically addressing the influence of tech executives on political leadership. This focus drew immediate, aggressive opposition. By June 2026, an OpenAI-aligned super PAC had spent over $7.6 million on advertising to defeat him, a strategy observers noted was intended to intimidate other lawmakers from pursuing similar regulatory agendas.
The race transformed into a high-stakes financial contest, with approximately $12 million in independent expenditures spent by various groups by June 2026. While Bores received support from super PACs backed by labor unions and a $3.5 million contribution from Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, the campaign was widely characterized as a proxy battle between OpenAI and Anthropic. Despite the intense national attention and significant spending, Bores ultimately finished second in the primary election, losing to Micah Lasher in a contest that highlighted the growing friction between AI developers and legislative oversight.
Beyond his congressional run, Bores has remained active in state-level policy, including efforts to regulate data centers and mandate pathogen screening for artificial gene synthesis. His legislative work reflects a broader attempt to address the societal risks posed by emerging technologies. As of early 2026, his campaign finance data revealed that only 12 percent of his contributions originated from within his own district, underscoring the nationalized nature of his political platform and the intense external interest in his regulatory stance.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Alex Bores
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