Data centers become a flashpoint in Ohio's gubernatorial race. Here's what candidates and voters are thinking
Data centers have become a major issue in Ohio’s gubernatorial race, with candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton calling for greater industry oversight. Voters and residents in communities including Wilmington, Mount Orab, Trenton and Cincinnati are concerned about electricity costs, water use, land rezoning and limited local employment benefits.
Data center development has emerged as a political flashpoint in Ohio’s governor’s race, which is described as a toss-up. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said data center operators should pay for the electricity they consume and provide their own energy, while Democrat Amy Acton and running mate David Pepper said ratepayers should not bear higher costs. Both campaigns support increased oversight, although Ramaswamy has generally expressed greater support for the industry.
Residents in Wilmington, Mount Orab, Trenton and Cincinnati have raised concerns about rezoning, utility costs, water use and the impact of projects on their communities. University of Cincinnati political science professor David Niven said opposition is drawing support from both parties because data centers may create fewer jobs than traditional industrial developments while imposing broader costs on residents.