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AI-Powered PAC Attacks NY Congressional Candidate Over FTX Ties
Think Big PAC targets Alex Bores for his past contributions from Sam Bankman-Fried and advocacy for AI regulation.
Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:36am
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A heated Democratic primary race in New York's 12th Congressional District has become a battleground for the influence of tech and crypto money in politics. The Think Big PAC, funded by major donors from the tech and crypto industries, is aggressively attacking candidate Alex Bores over his past $100,000 in contributions from disgraced FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. The PAC's strategy appears to be retaliation for Bores' advocacy of AI safety and accountability legislation.
Why it matters
This race highlights the growing influence of AI-focused political action committees, which are leveraging data analytics and targeted advertising to sway voters. It also suggests a potential escalating conflict between the tech industry and policymakers who advocate for regulating emerging technologies like AI.
The details
The Think Big PAC, which supports candidates aligned with pro-technology policies, is attempting to link Bores to Bankman-Fried in an effort to discredit him. This tactic is not isolated - a CoinDesk analysis found that 196 members of Congress received campaign support from Bankman-Fried or affiliated executives. However, Bores was one of only two state-level candidates in New York to receive such support, making him a particularly vulnerable target.
- The Think Big PAC has already invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in ads targeting Bores, including earlier television and digital spots criticizing his past work at Palantir.
- Bores' campaign responded with a cease-and-desist letter, alleging false and defamatory statements from the PAC.
The players
Think Big PAC
A political action committee that supports candidates aligned with pro-technology policies and opposes those seen as hostile to innovation in artificial intelligence.
Alex Bores
A first-term assemblymember representing parts of Manhattan and a candidate for New York's 12th Congressional District.
Sam Bankman-Fried
The disgraced former CEO of FTX, who was convicted on fraud charges related to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange.
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This race serves as a warning sign about the growing influence of AI-focused political action committees and the potential for escalating conflicts between the tech industry and policymakers who advocate for regulating emerging technologies.
