Anthropic-funded group backs candidate attacked by rival AI super PAC | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Rebecca Bellan

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The race for New York’s 12th congressional district has become a battleground for competing visions on artificial intelligence (AI). Two pro-AI political action committees (PACs) are locked in a heated contest to sway the election in favor of their preferred candidate or against one they view as a threat. Leading the Future, a PAC backed by major tech investors and AI leaders like Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, has poured over $1.1 million into attacking Alex Bores, a New York Assembly member who championed the RAISE Act—a bill requiring AI developers to disclose safety protocols and report serious system misuse. Meanwhile, Public First Action, a PAC funded by Anthropic with a $20 million donation, is spending $450,000 to boost Bores’ campaign, aligning with his push for transparency, safety standards, and public oversight of AI. The clash between these PACs reflects broader tensions in the AI community over how to balance innovation with regulation. Leading the Future argues that strict regulations like the RAISE Act would stifle AI development and hinder progress. Its backers include influential figures in tech who believe that excessive oversight could slow down advancements in AI, potentially harming industries reliant on this technology. On the other hand, Public First Action supports Bores’ approach, emphasizing the importance of ensuring AI systems are safe and accountable to the public. This race matters because it highlights the growing influence of AI companies and their stakeholders in shaping U.S. policy. The outcome could set a precedent for how Congress approaches AI regulation, influencing everything from safety standards to innovation incentives. For tech enthusiasts and industry-watchers, this contest underscores the high stakes involved in determining the future of AI governance—and who gets to shape it.

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/20/2026