6 SC GOP governor candidates participate in second scheduled debate before June primary

During the second South Carolina Republican Party gubernatorial debate, six candidates vying for the governorship discussed several key issues, with data centers emerging as a contentious topic. Lt. Gov Pamela Evette, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, and Attorney General Alan Wilson all indicated a willingness to allow data centers in the state, provided there are increased regulations. Wilson advocated for incentivizing data centers to create their own energy and to lessen environmental impacts, emphasizing the right of local communities to reject them. Kimbrell mentioned working on legislation to set parameters around data centers to protect water resources, specifically the Ace Basin. Norman, Evette, and Mace echoed concerns about electricity and water consumption, insisting that data centers should cover their own infrastructure, energy, and water costs without burdening residents or state resources. Lowcountry businessman Rom Reddy was the sole candidate to express complete opposition to data centers, labeling them as a "disaster" and comparing them to previous "boondoggle" projects in the state. The debate highlighted that residents in several South Carolina towns have already opposed and, in some cases, successfully blocked data center developments, underscoring the issue's significance in the upcoming June primary.