Anthropic and OpenAI waged a $27 million proxy war in a Manhattan congressional race. The winner told them both to get lost
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Micah Lasher had a message for the two AI companies that had just spent $27 million trying to decide who would represent Manhattan in Congress. “I have some news for the two big AI companies who’ve taken such an unusual interest in who won this congressional seat,” he said from the podium Tuesday night. “I won’t be taking my cues from either of you when it comes to protecting our kids, our jobs, our environment.
AI Summary
Main Idea: Micah Lasher won the Manhattan congressional race after AI-linked groups spent heavily on both sides, and he said he would not take cues from either company on AI policy.
Key Points:
- Public First Action backed Alex Bores with about $19 million, while the OpenAI-linked Leading the Future spent about $8 million against him.
- Lasher won with 39% of the vote and then said he would push his own agenda on protecting kids, jobs, and the environment.
- The race became a rare direct clash between pro-safety and pro-innovation AI groups, but neither side got the result it wanted.
- The article says AI groups have spent more than $50 million in 2026 elections, yet so far they have won little real influence with voters or lawmakers.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
AI firms are spending millions to sway elections, which can drown out ordinary voters and make AI rules feel shaped by lobbyists instead of the public.
Positive Impact
The race may push lawmakers to debate AI safety and jobs more openly,.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Primary:Alex Boresperson
- Primary:Anthropiccompany
- Primary:Leading the Futurepolitical organization
Candidate Entities12 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Alex BorespersonPrimaryEvaluated
Main losing candidate and major target of the competing AI-aligned super PAC spending.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - AnthropiccompanyPrimaryEvaluated
One of the two central AI companies driving the proxy battle through allied political spending.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Leading the Futurepolitical organizationPrimaryEvaluated
OpenAI-linked super PAC that spent heavily against Alex Bores.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Micah LasherpersonPrimaryAI selected
Winner of the congressional race and central figure delivering the article’s key response to AI-company spending.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - OpenAIcompanyPrimaryAI selected
The other central AI company in the proxy war and a major force behind the opposing side.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Public First Actionpolitical organizationPrimaryAI selected
Anthropic-backed super PAC that spent heavily to support Alex Bores.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Andreessen HorowitzcompanyMajorAI selected
Major investor firm tied to Leading the Future and part of the spending coalition.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Dario AmodeipersonMajorAI selected
Anthropic cofounder whose safety-first stance is central to the article’s contrast with OpenAI.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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