The battle over the future of artificial intelligence regulation has moved from the halls of Silicon Valley to a high-stakes congressional race in Modern York City. Chris Larsen, a billionaire investor and executive associated with Ripple Labs, plans to spend $3.5 million to support Alex Bores, a New York congressional candidate who has become a central figure in a growing proxy war over how the U.S. Government should govern AI.
Larsen, who is based in California, is stepping into a Democratic primary for New York’s 12th Congressional District. The seat is opening up following the retirement of longtime Representative Jerrold Nadler. The injection of funds comes as Bores finds himself targeted by a well-funded super PAC that advocates for a more permissive approach to AI development, turning a local primary into a national referendum on tech oversight.
This financial commitment signals a deepening divide among the tech elite. While some industry leaders are funding efforts to prevent restrictive AI legislation, others, like Larsen, are backing candidates who champion a more structured regulatory framework. For Bores, the support arrives as he navigates a campaign defined by his past legislative work and his vision for a federal AI standard.
The $3.5 Million Bet: Why Chris Larsen is Intervening
The decision by Chris Larsen to commit $3.5 million
to the Bores campaign is more than a simple political donation; it is a strategic move in a broader ideological clash. According to reporting on the expenditure, this funding is intended to bolster Bores against a wave of attack ads from a super PAC described as being cozy with OpenAI
. Recent reports on the primary indicate that this clash is part of a larger struggle over the economic value and ethical deployment of artificial intelligence.
Larsen’s involvement highlights a trend of wealthy tech donors taking active roles in legislative races to ensure that the next generation of policymakers aligns with their views on innovation and risk. By backing Bores, Larsen is aligning himself with a candidate who has already demonstrated a willingness to challenge the interests of “tech oligarchs” at the state level.
Alex Bores: From the NY Assembly to the National Stage
Alex Bores is not a newcomer to the fight against unregulated AI. As a member of the New York State Assembly, Bores championed and passed the RAISE Act in New York, which stands as one of the few laws in the country designed to protect citizens from the risks associated with artificial intelligence. Bores has detailed his record, stating that several AI billionaires and donors to former President Trump fought to kill the bill, though those efforts ultimately failed.
However, Bores’ history in the tech world has as well made him a target. He previously worked for Palantir, a data analytics firm known for its controversial contracts with government agencies, including ICE. This connection has been leveraged by a super PAC called “Think Massive,” which has run attack ads attempting to paint Bores as a tool of the very tech industry he now seeks to regulate. This super PAC, backed by Silicon Valley figures and reported to have as much as $100 million in funding, has identified Bores as a primary target due to his regulatory stance.
Bores has responded by releasing a comprehensive eight-point plan for a national AI framework. His agenda focuses on transparency, safety benchmarks, and ensuring that the economic benefits of AI are not concentrated in the hands of a few massive corporations. This framework is the cornerstone of his bid to succeed Jerrold Nadler and bring a “pro-regulation” voice to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Proxy War: “Think Big” vs. The Regulators
The conflict in New York’s 12th District is a microcosm of a national struggle. On one side is the “Think Big” super PAC, which represents a philosophy of “permissionless innovation.” This group argues that heavy regulation will stifle American competitiveness, potentially allowing other global powers to lead in AI development. Their strategy involves spending millions to defeat candidates like Bores who advocate for legislative guardrails.
On the other side are figures like Chris Larsen and the proponents of the RAISE Act, who argue that without federal oversight, AI could lead to systemic biases, massive job displacement, and security vulnerabilities. This “proxy war” is not just about who wins a seat in Manhattan, but about whether the U.S. Will adopt a European-style regulatory model (like the EU AI Act) or a more laissez-faire approach.
Key Stakes in the AI Regulation Battle
- Economic Control: Whether AI profits remain with a few “oligarchs” or are redistributed through policy.
- Public Safety: The implementation of safety benchmarks to prevent catastrophic AI failures.
- Political Influence: The role of super PACs in selecting candidates based on their stance on specific emerging technologies.
- Legislative Precedent: If Bores wins, it may signal to other candidates that a pro-regulation platform is viable even against massive tech spending.
What This Means for the Tech Industry
For the broader tech industry, this race is a warning. The era of “move fast and break things” is colliding with a growing public and political demand for accountability. When a billionaire like Chris Larsen spends millions to support a regulator, it suggests that even within the tech elite, there is a consensus that some level of oversight is inevitable—and that the real fight is over who writes the rules.
The financial dynamics of this race are also telling. Analysis of Bores’ campaign finances shows that only 12% of his donations come from within the NY-12 district, according to a review by City & State New York. This disparity highlights how national interests—specifically the fight over AI—are driving local elections, as outside money pours in to influence the outcome of a single congressional seat.
Comparison of AI Regulatory Philosophies
| Feature | “Permissionless” (Think Big PAC) | “Regulated” (Alex Bores / Chris Larsen) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Rapid Innovation & Global Lead | Public Safety & Ethical Guardrails |
| View on Legislation | Hindrance to growth; “stifles” tech | Necessary for stability and trust |
| Key Mechanism | Industry self-regulation | Federal frameworks (e.g., RAISE Act) |
| Funding Source | Silicon Valley Super PACs | Individual tech investors & progressive donors |
The Road Ahead: Next Checkpoints
As the Democratic primary in New York’s 12th District approaches, the focus will shift toward how the $3.5 million from Chris Larsen is deployed. Expected next steps include a surge in counter-advertising to neutralize the “Think Big” PAC’s narrative and further detailed releases of Bores’ national AI framework to attract a broader coalition of voters.
The outcome of this race will serve as a critical indicator for other congressional candidates across the U.S. Heading into the midterms. If a candidate centered on AI regulation can withstand a $100 million opposition effort, it may trigger a shift in how the tech industry approaches political lobbying in Washington.
We will continue to monitor FEC filings and campaign announcements for updates on this race. Do you believe AI requires strict federal regulation, or should the industry be left to innovate freely? Share your thoughts in the comments below and share this story to join the conversation.