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RandySF

(87,932 posts)
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 04:28 PM Thursday

NY-12: Pro-AI PAC sinks a New York City congressional candidate -- from a Nevada mailbox

The artificial intelligence industry claimed one of its first high-profile scalps of the 2026 campaign cycle in a New York congressional primary Tuesday, putting politicians on notice nationwide that if they want to advocate regulation of AI, the industry, a segment of the industry will be coming after them.

And Nevada helped. A little.

Federal political action committees backed by giant venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz principals Mark Andreesson and Ben Horowitz, along with some other extravagantly wealthy pro-AI figures, spent millions against Democratic candidate Alex Bores in New York’s 12th congressional district primary, which Bores lost to a fellow New York state assemblymember, Micah Lasher.

More than $8 million of the attack spending against Bores was launched by a federal super PAC called Think Big.




https://nevadacurrent.com/2026/06/25/pro-ai-pac-sinks-a-new-york-city-congressional-candidate-from-a-nevada-mailbox/

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NY-12: Pro-AI PAC sinks a New York City congressional candidate -- from a Nevada mailbox (Original Post) RandySF Thursday OP
Why does NYC allow foreigners to control state elections RainCaster Thursday #1
What foreigners? RandySF Thursday #2
Would hazard the guess that the poster is referring to supporters of current IDF activities of contemporary Israel. PufPuf23 Thursday #3
Well, they're Americans. RandySF Thursday #4
Out of state billionaires RainCaster 23 hrs ago #5
The AI industry just won a race -- but lost the war: Alex Bores lost. So did the tech right. Celerity 23 hrs ago #6

PufPuf23

(10,036 posts)
3. Would hazard the guess that the poster is referring to supporters of current IDF activities of contemporary Israel.
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 06:09 PM
Thursday

The Think Big Super PAC that bought the election for Lasher supports Trump and militant Zionism.

I like Micah Nadler's positions on most issues. Do not think he can be trusted regards AI and supporting the ongoing genocide in and adjacent to Israel.

Micah Lasher

Lasher was an aid and community Laison for Jerry Nadler

He was previously the Director of State Legislative Affairs under New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Chief of Staff of NY State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and the Director of Policy for New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

Micah Lasher was Chief of Staff for Eric Schneiderman who "retired and was disbarred because of multiple sexual abuse scandals.

The open seat was occupied by Jerry Nadler.

"Nadler describes himself as a “committed Zionist” and a strong supporter of Israel as a homeland for Jewish people.[60]

Of Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017, Nadler said, "I have long recognized Jerusalem as the historic capital of Israel, and have called for the eventual relocation of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem, the seat of the Israeli government. While President Trump's announcement earlier today rightly acknowledged the unique attachment of the Jewish people to Jerusalem, the timing and circumstances surrounding this decision are deeply worrying."[61]"

The principals of the Think Big Super PAC that provided Lasher the $8 million are Zionists and Trump supporters.

Ben Horowitz

In July 2024, Horowitz announced he will donate to super PACs that support Donald Trump's presidential campaign.[21][24] In October, however, Horowitz announced that he and his wife will be making "significant" donations to groups that support Kamala Harris's campaign, citing their friendship dating back over 10 years.[25] During the first half of 2025, Horowitz donated $3 million to MAGA Inc., a super PAC that supports Donald Trump.[26]

Marc Andreessen

Andreessen endorsed and voted for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.[107] In 2012, Andreessen donated $100,000 to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.[108][109] During the 2016 primary season, he endorsed Republican candidate Carly Fiorina, but after Fiorina dropped out of the race, Andreessen switched his endorsement to the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, citing the Republican nominee Donald Trump's immigration stance.[110][111]

In July 2024, Andreessen announced he would donate to super PACs that support Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.[112] During the first half of 2025, Andreessen donated $3 million to MAGA Inc., a super PAC that supports Donald Trump.[113]

Andreessen is a mega-donor to the political superPAC and pro-cryptocurrency advocacy group Fairshake.[114] Andreessen came out against president Joe Biden's re-election bid, saying he feared higher taxes on billionaires and stricter regulations on industries he invests in (cryptocurrency and AI).[114] On Joe Rogan's podcast in November 2024, Andreessen claimed that some cryptocurrency users have been unfairly debanked.[115]

While not officially part of Elon Musk's DOGE, Andreessen has been listed as “a key networker for talent recruitment” at the agency, according to The Washington Post.[116][117] He has also shared insight about DOGE's plans in various interviews.[118]

RandySF

(87,932 posts)
4. Well, they're Americans.
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 06:13 PM
Thursday

We don't have to agree with their politics or tactics to not tag Jewish Americans with the foreigner label.

Celerity

(55,364 posts)
6. The AI industry just won a race -- but lost the war: Alex Bores lost. So did the tech right.
Fri Jun 26, 2026, 10:34 AM
23 hrs ago
https://www.vox.com/politics/493132/alex-bores-ny-primaries-micah-lasher-ai-regulation

https://archive.ph/MZV6s

New York’s congressional primaries on Tuesday were supposed to be the moment AI’s top backers definitively proved they could bend US politics to their will. Instead, they left behind a muddy stalemate that only raises more questions about whether their spending can keep pace with an anti-AI backlash.

The stage for the battle was set last year, when some of America’s leading tech investors launched a new, $100 million super PAC dedicated to electing candidates who were “aligned with the pro-AI agenda” and defeating those who weren’t. Months later, this group — dubbed Leading the Future (LTF) — named its first target: New York Assembly member Alex Bores.

Bores had been the chief sponsor of the Empire State’s “RAISE Act,” which required developers of frontier AI models to follow various safety protocols or face steep fines. LTF fiercely opposed that bill. Thus, when Bores launched a congressional run, the super PAC sought to teach him — and his fellow Democrats — a lesson: Purse sweeping AI regulations and your next campaign will drown in a flood of opposition spending.

At first glance, it may look like LTF just achieved that objective. Bores lost his bid on Tuesday night to represent New York’s 12th District. Headlines deemed the race a victory for “Big Tech.” But appearances can be deceiving. In truth, Silicon Valley’s libertarians are losing the fight over AI regulation — and the NY-12 race only underscores this reality.

Bores lost. So did his enemies.........

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