Where Michigan gubernatorial candidates stand on data centers
Michigan gubernatorial candidates John James and Jocelyn Benson debated whether a one-year moratorium on new data centers is needed before the state establishes protections for water, electricity costs, noise and local control. The exchange focused heavily on alleged conflicts of interest involving campaign donations, investments and a proposed data center in Saline Township.
During a 2026 Michigan gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV, Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson and Republican candidate John James defended their positions on data center development and criticized each other over alleged financial and political ties to the industry. The debate referenced a proposed large data center in Saline Township and Benson's husband's role as a senior executive at the company seeking to build it, including his reported lobbying before the township board.
Benson said she supports pausing new data center development for one year while the state creates safeguards for water use, energy costs, noise and local decision-making. James also proposed a moratorium, saying communities should decide whether projects are allowed and that developers should protect electricity rates, water resources and productive farmland. Both candidates accused the other side of undermining local control and benefiting from data center-related donations, investments or tax incentives, but the debate did not resolve those competing claims or establish a final statewide policy.