AI-backed super PACs spent $27.4 million in New York congressional primary

A New York state assemblyman lost the Democratic primary for the state's 12th congressional district after super PACs connected to Anthropic and OpenAI spent $27.4 million on the race. The assemblyman received 35 percent of the vote compared with 39.1 percent for the winner, according to the most recent ballot count reported by The Verge. The outcome left both sides claiming partial success.

Spending breakdown Super PACs supporting the assemblyman spent $19.26 million while a rival group spent $8.15 million. The total of $27.41 million made the contest the most expensive congressional primary tracked so far this cycle. The pro-assemblyman groups included Jobs and Democracy PAC, Dream NYC, You Can Push Back, and the Guardrails Alliance.

Leading the Future, the opposing super PAC, received funding from OpenAI, Palantir, and Andreessen Horowitz executives.

Background and other factors The assemblyman had previously co-sponsored legislation that placed safety requirements on frontier AI companies. A version of that bill became state law last year. Local political dynamics also shaped the result. The winner had backing from a super PAC run by a former New York City mayor, while the assemblyman outperformed two other candidates who received 10.8 percent and 7.1 percent respectively.

The Verge reported that both sides have now spent a combined $50.1 million across 19 states, with additional spending planned in upcoming races.