Alex Bores, a Democrat running for the House in New York City, faced a significant challenge when a super PAC with over $100 million aimed to defeat his campaign. This super PAC was linked to the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, and its attack ads put Bores on the defensive.

Bores was dining with his wife, Darya, at a vegan restaurant in November when he received this upsetting news. Despite the threat, he crafted a defiant response, mostly drafting it himself. His goal was to cast himself as a victim of the AI industry, and this approach resonated with many.

This tactic partly succeeded. Although Bores narrowly lost his race, he effectively became the symbol in the battle against AI industry’s influence. Four rival super PACs formed to support him, raising $19 million to counter the opposing super PAC’s $8 million.

The attention and funding bolstered Bores’s profile in a competitive Democratic primary for an open seat in Manhattan. This seat was previously held by the retiring Representative Jerrold Nadler. Ultimately, Bores lost to Micah Lasher, Nadler’s endorsed candidate. Despite Lasher’s strong background and significant backing from Michael R. Bloomberg, the campaign against Bores may have unintentionally aided him. Even Lasher acknowledged that the anti-Bores funding might have backfired in favor of his opponent.