New York Congressional Candidates Clash Over AI Data Centers in Campaign Ad
Rep. Mike Lawler's campaign ad targets his Democratic rival, Cait Conley, for supporting AI data centers and her past consulting work with AI firms. Lawler criticizes Conley, citing rising utility costs in Rockland County due to data centers, while Conley's campaign states she supports Governor Kathy Hochul's executive order for a one-year data center freeze. The ad highlights data centers as a contentious issue in the competitive 17th congressional district race.
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler has launched a television ad campaign against his Democratic rival, Cait Conley, for New York's 17th congressional district, accusing her of supporting "unpopular" artificial intelligence data centers. The ad highlights Conley's past six-figure consulting work for AI firms Primer and Hidden Level, which received federal defense contracts during her time as national security adviser to President Joe Biden, linking her earnings to her stated support for data centers. Lawler, addressing the camera, pledged to protect the community, contrasting his stance with Conley's.
Conley's campaign, in response, stated that she supports Gov. Kathy Hochul's executive order for a one-year freeze on data centers in New York, directly refuting Lawler's claims. Spokesperson Maddy Rosen accused Lawler of having a "disastrous record," citing that five data centers were built in Rockland County during his tenure, which led to increased utility costs. Rosen also claimed Lawler, a former lobbyist for utility monopolies, voted to provide $80 billion in tax breaks to the AI industry for data centers and took donations from financial institutions like Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan, which received significant tax breaks for data center projects in Orangeburg.
The political exchange underscores the growing public "not in my backyard" opposition to AI data centers, which has become a significant issue in election cycles nationwide. While both parties leverage the issue, former President Trump has voiced strong support for AI data centers as crucial for US technological leadership. The 17th District, encompassing parts of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, is considered a swing district for the upcoming November elections.