Amid data center attacks, Crowley seeks to balance union support, public opinion
Wisconsin's gubernatorial race features data centers as a key issue, with Republican Tom Tiffany and Democratic nominee David Crowley clashing over the industry's impact. Crowley, backed by building trade unions, seeks to balance job creation with environmental concerns and has called for strict regulations and union labor requirements. Tiffany opposes state subsidies and highlights concerns about farmland, water, and utility bills, aligning with a bipartisan public opposition trend.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin governor, is facing scrutiny over his stance on data centers, a key issue in the upcoming election. A campaign ad from Republican nominee Tom Tiffany accuses Crowley of being influenced by "data center special interests" due to donations from building trades unions. Crowley, a proponent of union labor, has received significant financial support from unions like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association, which view data center construction as a source of high-paying skilled jobs.
Despite his union backing, Crowley is navigating a complex landscape where many voters and some labor unions are skeptical of data centers due to environmental concerns, infrastructure costs, and potential job automation from AI. He advocates for local control over data center projects and calls for regulations requiring tech companies to cover infrastructure costs, use renewable energy, and ensure projects are built by union labor. This position aims to balance economic opportunity with community safeguards.
Conversely, Tiffany has positioned himself against data centers, aligning with a growing bipartisan opposition in Wisconsin and nationally. He advocates for ending state subsidies for data centers, citing concerns about farmland conversion, rising utility bills, water risks, and ignoring local community input. The debate reflects a broader national discussion, with figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders calling for a moratorium on data center construction and former President Donald Trump championing them for jobs and tax revenue. Wisconsin Rep. Francesca Hong has also proposed a moratorium to allow for regulatory frameworks to be established.
The election highlights the challenge for candidates like Crowley, who rely on union support but must also address widespread public and bipartisan opposition to data center developments in the state. He aims to thread a needle by promising good union jobs while implementing "strict guardrails" to protect workers and communities from the potential downsides of big tech expansion.