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State Democrats File Complaint Over Blakeman’s AI Ads, Accuse County Exec Of Flouting Election Law
Jay Jacobs says 17 Blakeman videos used artificial intelligence and some lacked required disclosures, while public matching funds may have paid for them.
On Monday, New York Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs filed a complaint with the state Board of Elections against Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, alleging his AI-generated campaign ads violate state disclosure laws.
Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive, has posted at least 17 videos featuring AI-generated likenesses of Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, which his campaign contends are protected forms of political satire.
Jacobs claimed the campaign is "playing fast-and-loose" with election law, arguing it uses public matching funds to support activities that violate disclosure requirements by failing to consistently label AI-generated content.
Blakeman said Tuesday he will continue using AI in campaign ads, while New York Law School professor Jeffrey M. Wice noted the law allows "running room" for satire, suggesting this review will serve as a pivotal legal test.
The State Board of Elections must determine if the ads constitute prohibited "materially deceptive media" or permissible parody, a decision that could establish critical precedent for political communications heading into the November election.