Rachelle Miller, opposing AI data centers, advances to Spokane County Commissioner general election
Independent write-in candidate Rachelle Miller has advanced to the general election for Spokane County’s 4th Commissioner District. Her campaign is centered on strong opposition to a proposed artificial intelligence data center in the West Plains, citing concerns about its large electrical load. The election's outcome will significantly influence data center development policy in Spokane County.
Rachelle Miller, an independent write-in candidate for Spokane County’s 4th Commissioner District, successfully advanced to the November 3 general election ballot, despite securing significantly fewer votes than her Republican opponent, Suzanne Schmidt. Miller's write-in candidacy required her to garner at least 1% of the primary vote, which she slightly exceeded.
Miller, a social worker and small business owner, launched her campaign late, filing paperwork in late June with limited funds. Her central campaign issue is strong opposition to artificial intelligence data centers, particularly one proposed for the West Plains area of Spokane County, due to its anticipated high demand for electrical power. She decided to run after learning that Avista had been in discussions regarding such a project.
While write-in candidates typically face an uphill battle, often lacking an established campaign, significant funding, or inclusion in the general election Voter’s Pamphlet, Miller is leveraging public sentiment. She frames her candidacy as a challenge to