Ramaswamy wants data centers all over Ohio — and he's invested in nearly every tier of the industry he'd regulate
Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy is pushing for a widespread data center buildout across the state, despite concerns raised about his personal investments in the industry he would regulate. A report by Innovation Ohio highlights potential conflicts of interest as Ramaswamy would appoint leaders to state agencies overseeing data center incentives and regulation. Meanwhile, Governor Mike DeWine has paused new data center tax exemptions, and several Ohio communities have enacted local moratoriums on construction amid rising electricity prices and opposition.
Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy is advocating for an aggressive, statewide expansion of artificial intelligence facilities and Bitcoin mining operations, promising to transform the Ohio River Valley into a new Silicon Valley. However, a May 2026 report from the progressive group Innovation Ohio, titled "Vivek Ramaswamy’s Data Center Portfolio: Divided Loyalties," claims he is personally invested across nearly every segment of the data center industry he proposes to expand.
The report argues that as governor, Ramaswamy would appoint the boards of key state agencies, including JobsOhio (which provides incentives), the Ohio Power Siting Board (approves sites), the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (sets operating rules), and the Tax Credit Authority (grants tax exemptions). Innovation Ohio President Michael McGovern stated that Ramaswamy is too entangled with the industry to ensure fair community outcomes. Ramaswamy's campaign has not responded to the report, consistently framing the buildout as an economic opportunity and advocating for energy deregulation to address rising electricity prices.
Opposition to data centers is also growing, notably from conservative rural areas in Adams and Brown counties, where residents are gathering signatures for a constitutional amendment to ban data centers drawing over 25 megawatts of power. While the amendment is unlikely to make the November ballot, a recent Gallup poll indicates 71% of Americans oppose AI data center construction in their local area. Additionally, 15 Ohio communities have already enacted local moratoriums on new data center construction.
Governor Mike DeWine recently paused new data center tax exemptions for legislative study, though he emphasized it was not a ban. A broader regulatory package, House Bill 646, which would have imposed an electric rate class for data centers, halved local tax abatements, and regulated water use, failed in the legislature. Ramaswamy's Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, has proposed stricter guardrails, including requiring data centers to cover added utility and environmental costs.