Data center opponents launch write-in campaigns in Billings state Senate district
In Billings, Montana, write-in candidates Cari Olson and Elijah Tidswell are challenging State Senator Daniel Zolnikov, criticizing his legislative record perceived as favorable to data centers. This political opposition is fueled by community concerns regarding the proposed Quantica Infrastructure data center's environmental impact, particularly its water and electricity demands. Efforts by opponents to secure a countywide data center moratorium through a petition were unsuccessful due to a missed submission deadline.
In Billings, Montana, State Senator Daniel Zolnikov is facing write-in challenges from Cari Olson and Elijah Tidswell, whose campaigns are largely centered on Zolnikov's perceived support for data center development. Zolnikov, a Republican representing Billings Heights and Shepherd, has drawn criticism for legislative actions that opponents argue benefit the data center industry, including a bill extending a reduced property tax rate to power plants for data centers and a "right to compute" act concerning AI regulations.
Opposition to a proposed data center near Broadview, developed by Quantica Infrastructure, has been vocal, with community members raising concerns about water usage and electricity rates. An organized petition to pause data center development countywide was denied due to a missed submission deadline, a change in legislative timing that opponents were unaware of until alerted by Quantica.
Olson, an outspoken critic, has nicknamed the incumbent "Data Center Danny" on social media, while Tidswell, a local real estate agent, highlighted that nearly 15,000 petition signatories were ignored. Zolnikov, whose last registered employer has ties to Quantica's parent company, has defended his legislative record, emphasizing his focus on data security and clarifying that the data center tax rate was established years prior to his wife's bill. He anticipates his challengers will split the write-in vote.