AI PAC Targets Pro-Regulation Democrat in New York Primary

A new political action committee backed by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale has launched attack ads against Democrat Alex Bores in New York's primary race, marking a significant escalation in tech industry political spending ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Leading the Future, the pro-AI PAC in question, has targeted Bores over his work for Palantir, according to reports from Politico. The attack ads represent one of the first major political interventions by a tech-focused PAC in a Democratic primary, suggesting the industry is increasingly willing to spend heavily to influence policy debates around AI regulation.

The timing is notable given recent developments in AI policy. OpenAI's head of hardware and robotics, Caitlin Kalinowski, recently resigned over concerns about domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons following the company's Department of Defense contract. This internal dissent at major AI companies mirrors the broader debate playing out in Washington over how to regulate emerging technologies.

Bores, who represents New York's 73rd Assembly District, has advocated for stronger oversight of AI systems and data privacy protections. His position puts him at odds with industry figures like Lonsdale, who have pushed for a more permissive regulatory environment to allow AI development to proceed without what they see as burdensome restrictions.

The attack ads focus on Bores' previous work with Palantir, though the specific allegations haven't been detailed in initial reports. This approach suggests the PAC is attempting to frame Bores as compromised by his industry connections, despite his current regulatory stance.

This intervention comes amid broader shifts in tech industry political giving. While Silicon Valley has traditionally leaned Democratic, recent years have seen increased polarization, with some tech leaders supporting more conservative candidates who favor lighter regulation.

Industry observers note that the scale of spending by Leading the Future could signal a new phase in tech's political engagement. Rather than simply contributing to campaigns, tech-aligned groups appear ready to launch independent expenditure campaigns targeting specific policy positions.

The New York primary race has become a testing ground for how these dynamics will play out in competitive districts. Bores faces multiple challengers, and the attack ads could influence voters who are undecided about his regulatory approach to AI and data privacy.

Political analysts suggest this could be the beginning of a broader trend, with tech companies and their allies increasingly willing to spend on political messaging as AI regulation becomes a central policy debate. The outcome in Newores' race may provide insight into whether such tactics prove effective in Democratic primaries.

For voters in New York's 73rd District, the ads raise questions about the role of outside money in local elections and the extent to which national policy debates are shaping what were once primarily local contests. The intervention by Leading the Future represents a significant investment in a relatively small race, suggesting the stakes around AI regulation are high enough to justify substantial political spending.

As the primary approaches, Bores' campaign has not yet responded publicly to the ads, though supporters have characterized the attacks as an attempt by the tech industry to silence critics of its practices. The controversy highlights the growing intersection between Silicon Valley's business interests and electoral politics as AI continues to reshape both technology and governance.

The broader implications extend beyond this single race. If successful, the Leading the Future PAC's strategy could be replicated in other districts where candidates have taken strong positions on AI regulation, potentially reshaping the political landscape around technology policy in the lead-up to the 2026 midterms and beyond.

This development underscores how quickly the politics of AI are evolving, with industry-backed groups now willing to engage in direct electoral combat over regulatory approaches that were largely theoretical just a few years ago. The New York primary may offer an early glimpse of how these battles will unfold across the country as AI becomes an increasingly central political issue.