Nobody Wants To Be the Pro-Tech Candidate in This New York Race That Could Flip the House
New York congressional candidates Mike Lawler and Cait Conley are using skepticism of AI and data centers in their campaign messaging. Conley supports Gov. Kathy Hochul's data center moratorium, while Lawler favors local zoning control and argues that he had no role in approving five data centers built in Rockland County.
The closely watched race in New York's 17th Congressional District has made AI and data centers campaign issues. Democratic challenger Cait Conley supports Gov. Kathy Hochul's data center moratorium and criticized incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Lawler over five data centers built in Rockland County. Lawler said he had no authority over those decisions and argued that the facilities serve financial-services companies.
Both candidates presented themselves as supporters of stronger AI safeguards rather than advocates for rapid technology development. Their debate exchanges reflect broader political skepticism toward AI and hyperscale data centers, with the article noting that openly supporting data center expansion may be politically risky in the district.