Super PACs poured more than $50 million into four competitive congressional primaries in New York City, culminating in a significant shift toward far-left candidates in Tuesday’s Democratic contests, according to campaign finance records.

The most expensive of these was the race to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler in Manhattan’s 12th Congressional District, where super PAC spending reached approximately $40.8 million. This level of spending ranks among the highest recorded in House primary history. With roughly 102,000 Democrats casting votes in the closely contested five-candidate race, super PAC expenditures averaged about $398 per vote.

Despite the large sums spent independently by outside groups, the campaigns of eventual winner state Assemblyman Micah Lasher and runner-up Assemblyman Alex Bores reported comparatively modest direct spending. Preliminary finance filings indicate both candidates spent far less than the amounts spent by super PACs on their behalf.

The scale of super PAC involvement has prompted concerns about the influence of outside spending on local elections. Alex Camarda, a representative from the good government organization Reinvent Albany, said when external groups account for most campaign expenditures, it can create an impression that candidates are indebted to their backers.

The infusion of outside money and the resulting far-left victories underscore the growing role of super PACs in shaping congressional primaries within New York’s political landscape. The outcomes suggest the potential for significant ideological shifts within the delegation following the retirement of long-serving incumbents.