The fight over data centers was front and center in local Kentucky primary elections
Opposition to data center projects significantly impacted several local primary elections across Kentucky. In Oldham County, candidates who opposed a data center project, including Rob Houchens, won their races after successfully blocking a major development last year. The issue also influenced outcomes in Simpson, Meade, and Mason counties, with varying degrees of success for anti-data center candidates.
The growing opposition to hyperscale data center projects played a pivotal role in local primary elections across Kentucky, with recent polling indicating a significant public turnaround against such energy-intensive developments.
In Oldham County, where a proposed $6 billion data center on farmland was blocked last year, the issue was highly salient. Business owner Rob Houchens, a key figure in the opposition, won the Republican primary for county judge-executive. His campaign focused on concerns over lack of transparency, potential pollution, and increased utility bills. Two incumbent fiscal court magistrates who voted against a moratorium on data centers faced challenges, with one losing, while Magistrate Kevin Woosley, who led the moratorium effort, won overwhelmingly.
Similar trends were observed in other counties. Elected leaders who supported ordinances halting data center projects won their races in Simpson and Meade counties. However, in Mason County, a first-time candidate opposing a $1 billion data center proposal lost his primary. Simpson County Judge-Executive Mason Barnes, a strong opponent of a proposed $5 billion data center, won his primary despite facing a challenger backed by Franklin city officials who were more open to the developer. The developer has since sued Simpson County over its land use ordinance.
Statewide, this anti-data center sentiment is reflected in new polls showing a strong majority, across both parties, oppose data center construction in their communities. Erin Petrey, a candidate for the Democratic nomination in central Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District, advocated for a statewide moratorium on data centers, performing best in Mercer County where local opposition is active. Her initiative now includes a website for candidates to pledge support for a moratorium and proper regulations, highlighting the non-partisan nature of the issue.