Democrat Finds Opportunity in A.I. Industry Criticism

In June 2026, Alex Bores, a candidate for a House seat in New York, faced a significant challenge when a super PAC with more than $100 million planned to attack his campaign. This super PAC was supported by the artificial intelligence industry, aimed at undermining Bores. Despite the pressure, Bores decided to use these attacks to his advantage.

While celebrating an anniversary dinner at a vegan restaurant, Bores received the news about the planned attack ads. He immediately crafted a strong response, making himself appear as a victim of the A.I. industry’s aggression. This strategic move helped him gain the spotlight.

In a surprising turn, four super PACs supporting rival A.I. interests rose to defend Bores. They collectively invested $19 million in his campaign, overshadowing the $8 million aimed against him by the super PAC called Leading the Future. Bores’s candidacy gained attention in an otherwise crowded Democratic race for a Manhattan seat previously held by Representative Jerrold Nadler.

Despite strong support and increased visibility, Bores narrowly lost to Micah Lasher. Lasher benefited from his political experience and financial backing from Michael R. Bloomberg. Still, some believe that the initial negative campaign against Bores inadvertently strengthened his campaign.