As of May 2026, the NY-12 race has become a primary target for high-stakes independent expenditures
Ralph Yozzo
As of May 2026, the NY-12 race has become a primary target for high-stakes independent expenditures, particularly from the tech and AI sectors. Here are the exact figures reported in recent FEC filings and campaign finance disclosures:
đź’° Independent & Super PAC Spending (NY-12)
Super PACs have already poured millions into the Democratic primary, largely focused on opposing or supporting specific candidates rather than the general election.
Leading the Future (and affiliate Think Big PAC): This pro-AI Super PAC has already spent over $2.4 million in NY-12.
$446,000+ was specifically spent on attack ads (TV and digital) against Assemblymember Alex Bores.
The group has pledged a total of $100 million for the 2026 midterms, with NY-12 identified as "ground zero."
Michael Bloomberg: While specific 2026 district-level totals are still being processed in Q2 reports, his historical and projected independent spending for NYC-based favorites is estimated in the 7-figure range.
Battleground New York: A labor-backed Super PAC that has allocated $6 million for 2026 races across New York, including a significant portion for NY-12 ground operations.
đź“Š Federal PAC & Hybrid Spending (Cycle Totals)
On a broader scale, the FEC's most recent statistical summary (covering through Q1 2026) shows the massive scale of the "Hybrid" and "Super" PAC infrastructure feeding into these high-profile races:
| Committee Type | Total Raised (2025-26) | Total Spent (2025-26) |
| Super PACs (Independent Expenditure-Only) | $1.10 Billion | $529.2 Million |
| Hybrid PACs (Non-Contribution Accounts) | $2.46 Billion | $2.03 Billion |
| Traditional PACs (Corporate/Labor) | $419.6 Million | $331.6 Million |
🏛️ Individual Candidate Fundraising (Top Tiers)
While not "outside" spending, the leading candidates have already built massive war chests that trigger these PAC responses:
Alex Bores & Micah Lasher: Both have reported individual fundraising totals exceeding $1.5 million each as of the April 2026 filing.
The "AI Civil War" Effect: Large contributions from Silicon Valley figures like Greg Brockman (OpenAI) and Marc Andreessen (a16z)—who each gave $12.5 million to the Leading the Future network—are the primary drivers behind the local spending blitz in NY-12.
Data Source: Federal Election Commission (FEC) April 2026 Statistical Summary and Sludge Campaign Finance Analysis.