Amazon, data centers and the race for Oregon governor
Amazon is expanding its political and community outreach in Oregon as gubernatorial candidates and local activists push for a moratorium on new data centers. The company has major operations and approved future capacity in Morrow and Umatilla counties, where supporters cite jobs and tax revenue while opponents raise concerns about water, electricity, farmland and transparency.
Amazon has spent years cultivating relationships with Oregon officials while building a large data center presence in Morrow and Umatilla counties. The company operates four data centers in Morrow County and has local approval for 10 more, while its Eastern Oregon facilities employ more than 2,500 people and generated more than $70 million in county tax payments in 2025, according to Amazon. The company also recently increased political contributions, ended its use of nondisclosure agreements with public officials and pledged $1 billion nationally for communities affected by its data centers.
Political support for new data center development has weakened sharply. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan, the major-party candidates for governor, support a moratorium, while the advocacy group Oregon Rural Action is seeking signatures for a proposed ban in Eastern Oregon. Supporters of the industry, including Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran and Amazon executive Roger Wehner, emphasize economic benefits and partnerships with local governments. Opponents including Port of Morrow Commissioner Kelly Doherty and farmer Barrett Dash cite electricity demand, potential competition for water, farmland impacts and a lack of public input. An OPB-commissioned poll found that nearly two-thirds of likely voters support a temporary data center ban.