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Bores Brings Together A Coalition Divided On Israel
3D AGOSTATEASSEMBLYMEMBER ALEX BORESISRAELNY-12 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Bores Brings Together A Coalition Divided On Israel

What's the gist?

Alex Bores, running for Congress in NY-12 to replace Rep. Jerry Nadler, has backers from labor unions to Jewish leaders to progressives. They all hold sharply different views on Israel, but have united behind him.

Context

NY-12 is one of New York City's most competitive and high-profile Democratic primaries in years. Nadler has held the seat since 1992. Bores, a former Palantir employee turned state assembly member, made AI regulation his signature issue and has built a broad but ideologically mixed coalition in a crowded five-person field. His opponents and critics have slammed him on issues like not wanting to block US aid for Israeli weapons and working for a company that runs the core infrastructure for ICE. The pro-AI SuperPACs have poured millions of dollars in donations to defeat him.

Positive takes

Big-Tent Candidate. Bores has managed to win endorsements from pro-Israel Jewish leaders, progressive groups, major labor unions, and LGBTQ organizations simultaneously — a rare cross-ideological coalition that suggests he has real appeal beyond any single faction.
AI Insider as Watchdog. Supporters argue that Bores' background at Palantir makes him uniquely qualified to regulate the tech industry from the inside. The fact that major AI companies are spending millions to defeat him, they say, is proof he's the candidate big tech fears most.
Strong Track Record on Tech Policy. Bores points to passing what he calls the strongest AI safety legislation in the state as concrete evidence that he can deliver results, not just talk — a record his rivals in the race lack.

Negative takes

Vague on Israel. Critics say Bores' position on the Gaza war amounts to careful political maneuvering — opposing the Block the Bombs Act and supporting Iron Dome funding, while voicing general concern, without offering a clear moral stance that distinguishes him from the status quo.
Tangled in Billionaire Money. Rivals argue that while Bores attacks tech oligarchs, he has himself benefited from super PAC spending linked to AI and crypto billionaires — undermining his pitch as an independent voice willing to take on powerful interests.
Party of One on the Coalition. The Working Families Party declined to endorse in NY-12 but a super PAC it funds is spending to boost Bores, raising questions about transparency and whether his broad coalition reflects genuine agreement or political convenience.
News sources
  1. 01
    Alex Bores’ supporters disagree on Israel. They agree on him.
    null · Jewish Telegraphic Agency · June 18, 2026
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    Times of Israel Staff · Times of Israel · June 18, 2026
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Social takes
  1. 01
    @bri_guy_ny · Twitter · Positive take
  2. 02
    @adamjohnsonCHI · Twitter · Negative take
  3. 03
    @JCColtin · Twitter · Negative take
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