Democrats competing for Manhattan congressional seat clash over AI regulation spending in primary debate

State lawmaker Alex Bores, whose AI regulation plans have triggered significant industry spending both for and against him, became the primary target during a Thursday night debate among Democratic candidates for Manhattan's District 12 congressional seat. Opponents highlighted that Anthropic is spending $1 million to support Bores' campaign, while a crypto billionaire is spending $3.5 million to elect him.

Bores sponsored state legislation requiring major AI developers to report dangerous incidents to the state. Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, argued the regulation would give tech companies too much control, while Bores, a former Palantir data scientist, framed himself as the candidate willing to regulate technology that concerns Americans worried about job losses.

Three of five TV commercials aired during the debate focused on Bores: one from the AI-backed Think Big PAC claimed he was 'bought and sold' by corporate interests, while two others supported him, including one claiming to be 'the AI super PAC funded by Trump's megadonors designed to destroy Alex Bores.' The primary election is scheduled for June 23.