A mailer from Think Big PAC told voters that the Democratic U.S. House candidate once got $100,000 in support from the former head of failed global exchange FTX.

York's 12th Congressional District, a pro-AI super PAC is weaponizing ties to the disgraced founder of FTX to attack one of the contenders.

A sharply worded mailer distributed by Think Big PAC—an affiliate of the broader pro-AI advocacy group Leading the Future—targets New York State Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Democratic candidate in the race. The mailer highlights that Bores previously received more than $100,000 in independent expenditures and support from entities linked to Sam Bankman-Fried's political network during the 2022 election cycle.

The piece alleges that “Bankman-Fried’s buddies are bankrolling Bores for Congress,” framing the past funding as a liability amid Bankman-Fried's high-profile fraud conviction and 25-year prison sentence for orchestrating massive customer fund misappropriation at FTX. (Bankman-Fried's political spending—much of it routed through super PACs and intermediaries—totaled over $100 million across parties in the lead-up to the 2022 midterms, often aimed at influencing crypto and tech regulation.)

Think Big PAC, which advocates for lighter-touch approaches to AI governance and has backed efforts opposing stricter AI safety rules, confirmed the funding figures through state election filings. A spokesperson for the PAC told reporters that Bores “raked in over $100,000 from Sam Bankman-Fried’s sordid political network but refuses to acknowledge the connection.”

The attack comes amid a broader battle over AI policy in Congress. Bores, a former tech executive, has sponsored state-level AI safety legislation (including New York's RAISE Act, which mandates disclosure of safety protocols and misuse reporting for major AI developers). This has drawn opposition from industry-backed groups like Leading the Future and its affiliates, which have poured millions into opposing candidates seen as favoring heavier regulation.

Bores has faced sustained ad campaigns from similar PACs, including accusations tied to his past work at Palantir and broader efforts to portray him as out of step with pro-innovation tech interests.

The NY-12 primary remains competitive, with multiple candidates vying to replace outgoing Rep. Jerry Nadler in a district covering parts of Manhattan. The mailer is the latest escalation in a race where AI policy, tech influence, and past political funding networks have become central flashpoints.

Note: This article draws from the original provided headline and excerpt, supplemented with contextual details from public reporting on the candidates, PACs, and Bankman-Fried's documented political activities.