New York Democratic Party alleges illegal use of AI in Blakeman campaign ads

Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman is facing allegations of violating New York law regarding the use of artificial intelligence in political advertisements. The New York State Democratic Party filed a complaint with the state’s Board of Elections in August, alleging that a campaign video used AI-generated images of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul without the required disclosures.

The 43-second video depicts Mamdani and Hochul in a conversation that portrays them negatively. While the advertisement includes small text stating it was ‘paid for by Blakeman for New York’, it does not mention the use of AI, which is a requirement under current New York state law.

This incident reflects a broader trend in the 2026 midterms, where AI-generated content is increasingly used in campaign attacks. Despite a patchwork of state laws aimed at increasing transparency, experts note that candidates frequently disregard disclosure requirements. Policy experts suggest that more effective regulation may be necessary to address materially deceptive content.