Data centers emerge as major issue in midterm elections
Data center development has become a major issue in competitive midterm races, particularly the Ohio Senate contest between Republican incumbent Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown. Candidates in Ohio and Pennsylvania are responding to voter opposition, with Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity proposing a pause while Gov. Josh Shapiro has tightened data center energy-use and community-approval rules.
Data center construction is emerging as a significant campaign issue in several competitive midterm elections. In Ohio, Republican Sen. Jon Husted is defending his record after Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown criticized his support for data center growth. A leaked Republican strategy memo described the issue as a major liability for Husted, while Husted said local officials and residents should decide whether projects proceed. President Donald Trump offered a contrasting message at a campaign event, arguing that Ohio should welcome data centers and the economic activity associated with artificial intelligence.
The issue is also affecting Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race. Republican candidate Stacy Garrity has sought to distance herself from earlier support for data centers and said she wants to pause development after public backlash, while Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has tightened rules governing energy use and community approval. More than 30 jurisdictions, most of them in Ohio, are considering ballot measures to limit or ban local data center construction, reflecting broad voter concern about new facilities in their communities.