Key players: Bores (NY Assembly District 73, elected 2022, computer science background, running to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler) faces opposition from Leading the Future (backed by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, AI investors).[1][2][10] Bores receives counter-funding from AI professionals at OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and Rep. Carson's pro-regulation PAC Public First.[1] NY Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the amended RAISE Act in December 2025.[5]
Context and timeline: Bores co-sponsored the Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, passed June 2025 and signed December 2025, requiring large AI developers to publish safety protocols, report incidents within 72 hours, and face oversight by a new Department of Financial Services office—surpassing California's framework amid federal inaction.[2][5][9] Nadler announced retirement in October 2025; Bores launched his bid then, drawing early attacks from Leading the Future by late January/early February 2026 as the first of broader $265 million industry spending against regulation proponents.[1][2][10]
Newsworthy now: The race highlights an escalating AI industry civil war splitting executives/investors from grassroots AI workers, previewing national divides as states like NY lead on regulations while a White House blueprint pushes uniform federal rules to avoid "patchwork" laws; recent FEC filings (February 2026) reveal the spending surge amid the June primary.[1][3]