Sara Gelser Blouin and Valerie Draper Woldeit in rematch for District 8
Both candidates for Oregon Senate District 8, Sara Gelser Blouin and Valerie Draper Woldeit, said they support a moratorium on data center development. Gelser Blouin cited concerns about water, community impacts, utility costs and regulatory loopholes, while Draper Woldeit called for transparency and restrictions before new projects proceed.
The Statesman Journal’s profile of the Oregon Senate District 8 race reports that incumbent Sara Gelser Blouin and Republican challenger Valerie Draper Woldeit both support a moratorium on data center development in Oregon. Gelser Blouin said the state needs time to assess data centers’ impacts, close loopholes and establish transparency and enforcement mechanisms, particularly to protect water and communities.
Gelser Blouin said she opposed Gov. Tina Kotek’s economic development bill because it limited new data centers without stopping projects already under development. Kotek has supported a moratorium and urged lawmakers to consider legislation during the 2027 session. Draper Woldeit also backed a moratorium, saying data centers take resources from communities and should face restrictions and transparency requirements before receiving approval.