Fact check: John James, Jocelyn Benson debate data centers, tariffs, more
Michigan gubernatorial candidates John James and Jocelyn Benson debated the state’s approach to data centers, including whether Michigan should impose a statewide moratorium. James said he now favors leaving decisions to local governments, while Benson criticized his congressional record on local control. The debate also touched on the Saline data center being developed with involvement from Related Companies.
Republican gubernatorial nominee John James said Michigan should not impose a statewide data center moratorium if he is elected, arguing that local governments should decide whether facilities are built. His position differs from an earlier campaign stance supporting a moratorium until standards for local control, electricity use and environmental protections were established. Democrat Jocelyn Benson accused James of voting to limit local authority, but Bridge Michigan found that he had not voted on standalone data center restrictions; instead, he supported an earlier version of federal legislation that could have restricted state and local regulation of artificial intelligence and data centers.
The candidates also exchanged accusations involving the Saline data center. Benson’s husband previously worked on the project as a senior vice president for Related Companies, the facility’s developer, and earned compensation from the company, but she denied that her family profited from the project. Related Companies said his pay was a standard salary and bonus and that he no longer works on the project. The article also fact-checked the candidates’ claims on gas taxes, tariffs, Iran and Medicaid.